VIA experiences decline in air traffic movements in September

The Maldivian national airport, Velana International Airport (VIA) experienced a slight decline in air traffic movements in September.

Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL), which manages VIA, released statistics on air traffic movements in September on Saturday.

It shows VIA recorded 730 air traffic movements in September; 426 international air traffic movements and 304 domestic air traffic movements.

It’s lower than the 767 air traffic movements recorded in August; which included 448 international air traffic movements and 319 domestic air traffic movements.

While air traffic movements, including international air traffic movements dropped in September, international arrivals increased compared to August.

VIA recorded 13,487 international arrivals in September, higher than the 11,186 international arrivals in August.

Meanwhile, international departures dropped from 13,926 in August to 13,739 in September.

Maldives reopened its borders after a temporary lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic on July 15.

The country is open to all tourists, provided they have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken maximum 72 hours before departure from their original destination.