News Desk
MALÉ, Maldives – At Jetex, a private aviation company redefining luxury travel, the goal is clear: when a flight touches down, guests are whisked to their waiting cars within minutes, with luggage delivered in as little as seven. “At airports, you’re a passenger,” says Adel Mardini, Jetex’s founder and chief executive. “At Jetex, you’re a guest.”
For its elite clientele—business travelers, celebrities, large families, and those prioritizing privacy—this means a seamless experience marked by personalized service, transparent pricing, and cutting-edge technology, including cryptocurrency payments for added flexibility. Yet, as Jetex expands in the Maldives, a haven for the world’s wealthiest, rumors of monopolizing VIP services have sparked local debate, even as the company pursues its vision for bespoke aviation.
The Maldives, with its luxury resort brands and private islands, has long been a magnet for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), drawn to its seclusion and exclusivity. Jetex is capitalizing on this allure, tailoring its services to meet the growing demand for discreet, efficient travel to remote resorts.
In 2024, Velana International Airport (VIA) recorded a 10% surge in private jet movements—2,326 arrivals and departures, up from 2,107 the previous year—outpacing global business aviation’s 4.1% annual growth.
Jetex’s typical traveler, averaging 44 years old, seeks convenience and privacy, especially when heading to Maldivian resorts accessible only by private jet or seaplane.
While global demand for premium travel rises—one in three travelers from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and the U.A.E. expressed interest in first- or business-class flights in 2023, per Skyscanner—the Maldives is a standout. With over 2 million annual visitors to Maldives, 20-40% of HNWIs opt for private jets to reach for their holiday, reinforcing the island nation’s status as a premier destination.
Jetex’s investment in the Maldives has faced challenges, with local misconceptions suggesting it seeks to dominate VIP services at VIA. To address these concerns and elevate the travel experience, the company is pushing forward with a bold plan to enhance the Maldives’ appeal for its global clientele. To bolster the Maldives’ reputation as a luxury hub, Jetex has proposed a $125 million investment over 25 years to build a state-of-the-art private jet terminal at VIA. Fully funded by Jetex, including $50 million for construction, this independent facility will streamline its hallmark service of swift transitions to waiting cars, easing pressure on existing infrastructure.
When the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) offered to lease two upper floors of its VIP building, Jetex declined, prioritizing ground-level access to meet the preferences of its Commercially Important Persons (CIP) and VIP travelers. “The plan complements MACL’s operations, not competes with them,” sources who spoke from Abu Dabi told Etruth, refuting claims of disruption. Sources in Abu Dhabi note that Jetex will introduce Rolls-Royce vehicles at VIA, a first for the airport, enhancing the experience for its discerning clientele.
The company’s embrace of innovation, including cryptocurrency payments and partnerships with Volocopter GmbH and Archer Aviation to develop eVTOL services, underscores its forward-thinking approach.
By building this terminal, Jetex aims to double private jet movements at VIA, from 2,400 annually to between 4,000 and 6,000, boosting tourism revenue and enhancing the Maldives’ allure for the world’s elite. This aligns with Jetex’s global vision of delivering bespoke, sustainable travel solutions.
The administration of President Muizzu has greeted Jetex’s $125 million proposal with all the urgency of a leisurely island sunset, savoring caution with a pace that could outdo a languid tropical breeze. Initially submitted 18 months ago, the proposal languished until recently, when momentum surged ahead of the new VIA terminal’s planned inauguration on July 26, 2025.
Sources indicate that once the government, with its usual slow pace, recognized the proposal’s significance, it scrambled to catch up, with late-night requests for documents and incessant calls for further clarifications and information. However, the Muizzu administration’s sluggish response has fueled public skepticism, amplified by misinformation and negative reporting in traditional and social media.
The online space has been inundated with posts and comments, reflecting a public eager to separate fact from fiction. Much of this confusion could have been avoided with proactive communication from the government. Even three days after the story gained traction, the administration has remained largely silent, seemingly deliberating over a calculated response rather than addressing the speculation head-on.
When Etruth sought comment from the government’s spokesperson and the president’s strategic communication advisor, their typically active phones went unanswered. With less than 20 days until the new VIA terminal’s opening, the government risks squandering a chance to highlight an investment poised to elevate the Maldives’ luxury tourism brand. Instead of capitalizing on this opportunity to clarify Jetex’s plans and dispel myths, the administration’s reticence has left the public in the dark, a strategy that seems far from optimal.
Founded in 2005 by Adel Mardini, Jetex emerged from a vision to redefine private aviation. Launched at the Dubai Airshow, it quickly grew, opening its first FBO at Paris-Le Bourget Airport in 2009, followed by facilities in Beijing and Kyiv. Now operating 40 terminals across 30 countries, Jetex blends luxury with innovation, from cryptocurrency payments to its June 2025 partnership with Archer Aviation to integrate eVTOL aircraft, pending final agreements. Mardini’s global expertise now drives Jetex’s ambitious plans to make the Maldives a pinnacle of bespoke travel, if the government can match its pace.
