July Transshipment Volumes Reach Record High at Velana Airport

Velana International Airport handled more than 2,000 tonnes of outbound transshipment cargo in July, marking the highest monthly volume recorded at the airport and signalling a larger role for the Maldives in regional freight movement.

The record was driven by both Sea-to-Air and Air-to-Air operations. Sea-to-Air cargo alone reached 621 tonnes during the month, its strongest result since the service began.

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Transshipment operations allow cargo arriving by sea or air to be transferred through Velana International Airport for onward flights to overseas markets. This model can offer a faster alternative to end-to-end sea freight while remaining less costly than transporting cargo entirely by air.

The July performance reflects the expansion of the airport’s cargo-handling operations and its ability to connect shipping routes in South Asia and the wider Indian Ocean with air links serving Europe and other markets.

As cargo volumes increase, the airport’s transshipment business could create further demand for handling, warehousing and freight-forwarding services, while diversifying an aviation sector traditionally centred on passenger travel and tourism.