Transshipment cargo at Velana International Airport (VIA) hit a new record in August, with the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) handling more than 1,900 tonnes of goods in transit.
The milestone, which saw 1,934 tonnes of cargo processed, is the highest monthly transshipment volume reported so far this year.
Transshipment refers to goods that enter the Maldives before being sent to a final destination in another country, all while under customs control. The Maldives offers transshipment services through both air-to-air and sea-to-air cargo networks.
The August figures represent a significant surge in air transport activity, bolstered by ongoing strategic expansions aimed at transforming the Maldives into a key regional logistics hub.
The record-breaking performance in August contributes to a strong overall trend for the year. In the first six months of 2025, VIA handled a total of 6,879 tonnes of transshipment cargo including 5,621 tonnes in air-to-air cargo and 1,258 tonnes of sea-to-air cargo.
This growth in transshipment highlights the success of the hybrid transport model that combines sea and air freight.
MACL, the operator of VIA, has attributed the boost to ongoing initiatives that align with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's vision for expanding cargo services.
To support this goal, MACL is actively working to enhance its cargo capabilities, coordinating with scheduled cargo airlines to increase flight frequencies and introduce new routes. It is also engaging with new airlines looking to enter the cargo market.
Efforts are also underway to increase sustainable cargo capabilities and promote new trade routes while making improvements to cargo handling facilities and overall infrastructure to ensure faster and more reliable services.
In January 2024, President Dr Muizzu inaugurated a new cargo terminal designed to accommodate this expansion. The new facility, part of a larger airport development project, more than doubled the previous terminal's capacity from 50,000 to 120,000 tonnes annually. Additionally, the government's long-term goal is to further increase the airport's cargo capacity to 300,000 metric tonnes.