New MPL seaplane terminal expansion to reduce transfer wait times

Maldives Airports Company Limited has confirmed that the Phase Two expansion of the Velana International Seaplane Terminal will open on 15 April 2026. The expansion doubles the terminal's passenger handling capacity from approximately 400 to 800 movements per peak day and introduces segregated processing lanes for resort-connected travellers versus charter passengers.

The most guest-visible change is a new premium holding lounge on the upper level, accessible to Business and First Class international arrivals connecting to seaplane services departing within four hours. The lounge — operated by Trans Maldivian Airways and Maldivian, who between them account for 94% of seaplane movements — offers 120 seats, complimentary refreshments, luggage storage, and direct access to the boarding pontoon without cross-terminal transit.

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The bottleneck at the seaplane terminal has been the most consistently cited friction point in the Maldives arrival experience for over a decade. This expansion is overdue.

The seaplane terminal has been the most consistently cited pain point in the Maldives arrival experience. At peak times — typically late afternoon when multiple widebody aircraft arrive within the same 90-minute window — the existing terminal becomes severely congested. Previous expansion planning was delayed twice due to financing restructuring at MACL and uncertainty around post-pandemic traffic projections.

Trans Maldivian Airways has confirmed that the expansion will allow it to increase its peak-day frequency ceiling from 170 to 220 movements, relieving pressure on the afternoon transfer surge. For resort operators, faster and less stressful guest arrivals have a measurable effect on early impression scores — a data point that several GM-level contacts have raised informally with MT in discussions about arrival experience management.