Statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MoTE) show that Maafaru International Airport has recorded the second-highest number of tourist arrivals to the Maldives in 2026 so far, following Velana International Airport (VIA).
According to the data, 127,486 tourists entered the country through VIA, while Maafaru International Airport handled 514 arrivals during the same period.
Maafaru has become a key gateway for high-end travellers, particularly those arriving by private jet. With the peak tourism season underway, the airport has already logged over 200 private jet movements, and total movements are projected to reach around 800 by the end of the season.
The airport was developed with funding from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development under a USD 60 million project and is operated by Island Aviation Limited, which also manages the national airline, Maldivian.
Maafaru International Airport began operations in 2019 and has since undergone phased expansions. The latest upgrade includes an expanded apron, enhancing its capacity to handle increased traffic. The airport is equipped to serve narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
MoTE figures also indicate that total tourist arrivals to the Maldives reached 129,201 so far in 2026, marking a 9.9 percent increase compared to 117,532 arrivals during the same period last year.
On average, 7,099 tourists are arriving in the Maldives each day this year. The highest daily arrival recorded so far was on 11 January, when 9,596 visitors entered the country.
While China was the largest source market in 2025, Russia has emerged as the leading source of tourists in 2026 up to 19 January. The Maldives achieved a record-breaking year for tourism in 2025, welcoming over 2.2 million visitors, with the sector continuing to show strong growth.
