🏝️ Malé-Maafaru business aviation route contracts 76% in first half of year, stabilizes in June
Avi-Go data shows that from January 1 to June 30, 2026, business jet movements from Malé Velana International Airport (VRMM) to Maafaru Airport (VRDA) totaled just 1,097, a sharp decline of approximately 76% compared to 4,598 during the same period in 2025. The contraction was concentrated in February through May, with March recording just 3 movements—nearly zero—and May's 86 movements falling about 87% from 648 in the same period last year. The turning point came in June, when 589 movements were roughly on par with last year's 582, and the daily average of about 29.9 movements over the first 9 days of July even surpassed last year's 22.2 for the same period, indicating that peak-season momentum remains. During the same period, VRMM departures were dominated by the DHC-6 seaplane, accounting for 93.76%, while long-range business jet types made up only about 3.6% combined, reflecting that this hub is primarily geared toward short-haul seaplane transfers.
Impact: The significant contraction in capacity on this feeder route during the first half of the year directly affects the scheduling of high-end resort operators and charter brokers that rely on Maafaru transfers; meanwhile, the stabilization and rebound from June to early July indicates that peak-season demand is returning to this route.
Recommendation: Charter brokers and FBOs serving this route should build up VRMM-VRDA slot and ground-handling reserves within the July 2026 peak-season window to capture the demand recovery; at the same time, before August they should verify whether the sharp February-to-May decline stemmed from capacity adjustments, scheduling changes, or shifts in data collection coverage, to avoid misjudging long-term demand trends.