Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has confirmed that 2,610 private jets landed at Velana International Airport (VIA) in 2022.
MACL General Manager Hassan Areef, while speaking at the 1.6 millionth tourist's welcome ceremony, stated that the total jet arrivals this year marked a 53 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019.
In 2021, the Velana International Airport (VIA) recorded a total of 1,702 private jet landings.
Earlier in 2022, before the new runway was officially opened, it was used as a parking zone for private planes. Similar to VIA, Maafaru International Airport reported a significant increase in jet landings. The regional airport reported a total of 300 private jet arrivals on November 20, 2022.
MACL also confirmed a 10 percent improvement in air traffic movement for the year. By November 2019, air traffic movements had reached 24,000 in annual terms, whereas this year, air traffic movements stood at 27,000.
While private jet landings have improved post-pandemic, eight additional airlines have commenced direct flights to VIA, including British Airways, Air France, Australian Airlines, Euro Wings, and Condor, among others.
Although British Airways is currently operating on a seasonal basis, the airline will begin operating daily direct flights in 2023, Areef said.
The landing intervals between flights have greatly decreased since VIA opened its new runway in October 2022, allowing a considerable increase in the number of flights that arrive in the Maldives.
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