With 8 private jets on Saturday alone, Maafaru airport bustling with activity

Eight private jets landed at the Maafaru International Airport on Saturday alone, as the airport experiences an increase in international arrivals.

Maafaru International Airport’s General Manager Mumthaz Ali told Sun that that the number of private jets serviced at the airport has increased since Maldives reopened its borders.

Mumthaz said the airport recorded its highest international flight movements this Saturday, and expects things to improve in the coming days.

Maafaru International Airport is surrounded by multiple luxury resorts.

Mumthaz said the occupancy rate of the resorts in the regions is high given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with some of the resorts at 60 percent occupancy.

“The highest number of arrivals are from Europe, the Middle East and Russia,” said Mumthaz.

He said that the airport is scheduled for six new international flight movements by October 31, and expects the number of flight movements to be higher still, come November.

With the winter in the horizon, 15 private jet movements have already been reserved for the Christmas holiday.

Mumthaz expects the reservations to increase the closer it draws to Christmas.

Maldives reopened its borders after nearly four months of lockdown on July 15, and is currently open to all tourists, provided they have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken maximum 96 hours before departure from their original destination.