Maldives has seen a notable surge in private jet arrivals as the country experiences one of its busiest tourist seasons. 

According to the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), over 30 private jets are currently parked at Velana International Airport, with arrangements made to accommodate the influx across three designated parking areas.

Speaking to MMTV, an MACL official stated that the airport has allocated 68 parking spaces in the northern, eastern, and southern sections of the facility to manage the rise in private jet traffic. This operational adjustment reflects a broader increase in jet movements recorded this year.

As of December 28, Velana International Airport logged 2,326 jet movements, a 10 per cent increase compared to the 2,107 recorded during the same period last year. For December alone, 150 jet movements were documented, representing an 8 per cent rise from the 137 recorded in December 2023.

The heightened activity coincides with the winter season, a peak period for foreign tourists visiting the Maldives to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve. To handle the seasonal surge in passenger traffic, Velana International Airport has introduced new operational measures and deployed additional staff.