Maldives Air Cargo Volume Surges 13 Percent to 24,000 Tonnes in Q1

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has reported a significant rise in air cargo activity, with over 24,000 tonnes of goods handled during the first quarter of this year. Total cargo volume reached 24,782 tonnes, marking a 13 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The growth was primarily driven by imports, which accounted for 18,908 tonnes of the total volume. In contrast, exports from the Maldives totaled 5,873 tonnes. This shift toward higher import volumes is partly attributed to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, which have forced the country to diversify its sourcing of essential goods from various global regions. To maintain a steady supply of goods amidst these geopolitical challenges, the government has collaborated with multiple airlines to secure logistics, including the implementation of cargo-in-cabin flights to ensure critical items reach the islands without delay. Transhipment activity also saw a notable uptick, with 4,277 tonnes handled—a 14 percent increase over the previous year. Other cargo movements included 3,955 tonnes via air-to-air transfers and 322 tonnes brought in through sea-to-air logistics. Operations at Velana International Airport (VIA) remained intensive, with 264 freighter movements recorded during the quarter. Airlines contributed 2,188 tonnes of cargo directly to the airport, with March emerging as the highest-volume month of the quarter. These figures highlight the critical role of Velana International Airport as the nation's primary logistics hub, especially as the Maldives navigates global supply chain instabilities to ensure food and commodity security for its population.