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MACL Prepares Velana Airport for Winter Tourism Peak

Airport operator focuses on operational readiness and coordination ahead of the Maldives’ busiest tourism season.

Mohamed Hilmy

15 October 2026, 04:25

MACL Prepares Velana Airport for Winter Tourism Peak

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has held its Winter Readiness 2026/2027 Kickoff Meeting as it prepares Velana International Airport for the seasonal increase in travel demand.

In a post on X, MACL said the meeting focused on aligning team priorities, addressing operational challenges and strengthening coordination between departments to ensure smooth airport operations throughout the winter season.

The preparations carry particular significance for Velana International Airport, the Maldives’ principal international gateway and a central link in the country’s tourism infrastructure. Alongside international passenger services, the airport accommodates domestic and seaplane connections serving destinations across the archipelago.

Winter coincides with the Maldives’ tourism high season, when demand from holidaymakers increases during the European winter and festive travel period. The Ministry of Tourism’s Tourism Yearbook identifies November to March as the country’s traditional peak occupancy period.

Recent arrival figures illustrate the scale of seasonal demand. The Maldives welcomed 224,455 tourists in December 2025, a record monthly total at the time, according to Visit Maldives Corporation. The strongest day that year was 28 December, when 9,903 visitors arrived.

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