Addu Atoll’s Gan International Airport, on Monday, revealed that across December, a record number of jet aircrafts had graced its runway.
Nestled in Maldives’ southernmost island, right across the equator, the country’s second international airport is currently housing 35 jets.
Previously, the record held by any local airport or hanger at a given time was that of 26 such aircrafts in 2015.
According to Misbah Nazeer, Public Relations Executive for Addu International Airport Company (AIA), a total of 100 jets are expected to land in Gan International Airport between the present December till January 15.
“These are record-breaking numbers, in all of the airports’ history”, said Misbah.
He added, “In terms of movements, we have begun recording an average of eight jet movements at Gan Airport, daily”.
AIA clarified that the aforementioned statistics included jets that were parked at or transiting in Addu, after passengers had disembarked at Velana International Airport, which is located centrally near capital city Male’.
Further, AIA offered opinion that, had the southernmost atoll’s largest two resorts, Shangrila Villingili Resort and Spa and Canareef Resort (Herathera Island), not closed following local emergence of the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, the airport would have welcomed a significantly larger amount of jets than the year’s already unparalleled achievement.
“At present, there are no luxury beds [in the atoll] available to accommodate the jet-borne tourists. That is to be the largest factor for loss factor”, explained AIA’s PR lead.
“People arrive here in their jets, and charter domestic flights to holiday at various other destinations across the country”.
However, Misbah added that many of the crew members on such flights have elected to stay and seek the services of Gan’s famously longstanding Equator Village, South Palm Resort as well as various reputable guesthouses.
“The airport does not yield its true value because of a lack of effort to adequately promote Addu’s tourism sector”.
Speaking as a resident, Misbah concluded, “Should Addu be well marketed, airport movements are sure to also, subsequently, increase”.
Jet aircrafts known to park and seek other services at Gan International include those of Airbus A320 family, widely known as the fastest and best-selling jet airliner of all time.
The number of jets that land on Addu’s airstrip has been observed to increase on a yearly basis, with aircrafts typically being parked for four days, sometimes up to a week or longer.
It is also worth noting that December is the period of peak tourist arrivals all across Maldives, with people travelling from across the globe to celebrate the festive season in lush, tropical islands.
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