Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) showcased the expanding cargo capabilities of Velana International Airport (VIA) at the Air Cargo China 2026 exhibition held in Shanghai, highlighting the airport's potential to become a key transhipment hub in the Indian Ocean.

MACL said the event provided an opportunity to promote VIA's cargo services and share its vision of developing the airport into a major regional transhipment centre.

During the exhibition, MACL representatives met with airlines, cargo operators and logistics industry leaders to discuss opportunities for collaboration and exchange industry insights. Discussions focused on strengthening VIA's connectivity with Asian markets, attracting more dedicated freighter services to the Maldives and expanding cargo links with Europe, North America and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

MACL noted that VIA continues to strengthen its position as a trusted regional and international cargo gateway. In the first six months of 2026, the airport handled 36,367 tonnes of cargo, representing a 5 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

Of the total cargo handled, 7,982 tonnes were transhipment cargo, marking a 15 per cent year-on-year increase.

Freighter operations also recorded significant growth. A total of 2,925 tonnes of cargo were transported on 358 freighter flights, an increase of 174 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2025.

MACL also highlighted a new operational milestone achieved on 12 July 2026, when VIA handled 140 tonnes of transhipment cargo in a single day, setting a new record for the airport.

China ranked as the second-largest source of transhipment cargo to the Maldives during the first half of 2026, behind Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the United States was the largest destination for cargo transhipped through the Maldives, receiving approximately 1,618 tonnes.

MACL attributed much of this growth to VIA's Sea-to-Air cargo service, launched in 2024. Since its introduction, the service has handled more than 5,000 tonnes of cargo in partnership with 17 airlines, facilitating shipments from regional ports including Colombo, Mumbai, Dhaka and Tuticorin to destinations across Europe and North America via the Maldives.

Looking ahead, MACL expects additional airline capacity during the 2026–2027 winter season, alongside the launch of new routes to Europe. The company said these developments would further strengthen VIA's position as a leading regional transhipment hub and support its long-term cargo growth strategy.