Private jet movements at Maafaru Airport reach 200 as peak season begins

Private jet movements at Maafaru International Airport have reached 200 since the start of the tourism peak season, with the total number of jet landings expected to reach 800, the airport said.

Maafaru Airport has historically recorded a high volume of private jet arrivals during the peak season each year. This year, the number has increased following the expansion of the aircraft parking apron, which has doubled parking capacity.

Maafaru Airport’s general manager, Mumthaz Ali, said private jets began arriving from the 20th of this month and that 15 jets are currently parked at the airport.

“The number of jets landing at Maafaru Airport is expected to exceed 25 on Sunday and Monday,” he said, adding that a significant increase in arrivals is anticipated by the 10th of next month.

Maafaru Airport is located near several high-end resorts, including Velaa Private Island and Soneva Jani in Noonu Atoll, as well as luxury resorts in Raa and Baa atolls.

Mumthaz said the expanded apron has encouraged wealthy travelers flying by private jet to land at Maafaru Airport instead of Velana International Airport when visiting luxury resorts in the northern atolls.

Last year, 579 private jets landed at Maafaru Airport. The figure is expected to rise this year due to the increased apron and parking space, he said.

Private jet arrivals typically peak between October and April, when high-net-worth tourists travel to the Maldives for the holiday and New Year period. A large number of private jets are also currently parked at Velana International Airport, though the number remains lower than in previous years.

Maafaru International Airport opened in 2019 and has undergone several expansion phases since. The USD 60 million airport, built with funding from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), is operated by the state-owned Island Aviation. The airport is capable of accommodating Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.