MACL issues congestion advisory as VIA expects 11,000 passengers
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has advised staff working at Velana International Airport (VIA) terminals to follow operational procedures closely to reduce congestion, as Sunday is expected to be a high-traffic day for the airport.
In a message circulated to airport personnel, MACL shared projected passenger figures for the day. According to the estimates, the new terminal is expected to handle 10,500 arriving passengers, while Terminal Two is expected to receive about 600 arrivals. This brings the total number of arriving passengers to approximately 11,000.
A similar number of passengers are also expected to depart from the airport on Sunday. MACL said this would make it the busiest day since the new terminal began operations on 26 July.
The increase in passenger numbers is attributed to travel during the Christmas and New Year period. MACL has not yet released official statistics for the day.
The highest number of arrivals previously recorded at VIA was on 10 February, when 11,207 passengers landed at the airport. That figure may be surpassed based on Sunday’s projections.
MACL noted that access corridors for entry and exit at the new terminal are limited in width and prone to congestion. Airport representatives and service providers have been instructed to coordinate closely to manage passenger flow and minimise delays.
