Velana International Airport (VIA) handled 18,457 tonnes of cargo during the second quarter of 2026, recording steady growth in freight operations, according to statistics released by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

The figure represents a 2 percent increase compared with the first quarter, reflecting continued demand for both inbound and outbound cargo services.

Inbound shipments accounted for the largest share, with 13,542 tonnes of goods imported into the Maldives during the three-month period.

Meanwhile, outbound cargo totaled 4,915 tonnes.

Transshipment activity recorded the strongest growth during the quarter, reaching 3,650 tonnes, a 26 percent increase from the previous quarter.

This included 3,116 tonnes of air-to-air transshipment cargo and 534 tonnes handled through sea-to-air services.

Freighter operations also increased, with VIA recording 94 cargo flights during the second quarter, representing a 12 percent rise compared with the first three months of the year.

The growth comes as the Maldives continues efforts to expand VIA's cargo capacity and strengthen its role as a regional logistics and transshipment hub.

The airport's new cargo terminal, which opened in January 2025, currently has the capacity to handle up to 120,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

The Government aims to eventually increase this capacity to 300,000 tonnes.

MACL and Maldives Ports Limited have also introduced joint sea-to-air cargo services.

Eleven airlines are now participating in the initiative, allowing goods from multiple countries to be transported to the Maldives, consolidated, and re-exported by air.

The initiative is expected to further strengthen the Maldives' position in regional cargo and logistics operations.