Maldives Firework Display Breaks Guinness World Record at Velana Airport
When most airports cut the ribbon on a new terminal, they pop a bit of bubbly, roll out the red carpet, maybe play some classical music in the arrivals hall. But over in the Maldives, they took things to a whole new altitude — with a record-breaking firework show that’s just made history.
To mark the grand opening of the brand new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) unleashed a meticulously choreographed fireworks display so ambitious, it earned them a shiny new Guinness World Record.
Forget your average display — this was a multi-venue, multi-directional, high-stakes sky spectacle that ticked all the boxes for the newly created world record category: “Most Venues Performing Ceremonies and a Choreographed Fireworks Display.” And yes, that’s a mouthful, but it’s also one serious flex.
What Did the Record Involve?
This wasn’t just about going big — it was about going wide. The fireworks were launched in 19 different directions across Malé and surrounding areas, covering a vast stretch of sky and hitting a strict set of criteria laid down by Guinness.
According to adjudicator Mbali Inkosi, the team had to demonstrate consistent firing sequences across multiple zones, precise choreography, and a minimum show length of five minutes. The Maldives show lasted six full minutes, and nine of the launch sites met every technical requirement needed to seal the record.
To ensure everything was above board, MACL brought in 32 official witnesses, including 16 Indian military personnel and two on-site observers, confirming every firework fired was up to scratch. The result? A fully verified, Guinness World Record-winning display — and a proud new entry into the history books.
Guinness Gold and Presidential Guests
The title was officially presented during a ceremony at VIA, where MACL Chairperson Noorain Janah accepted the Guinness World Record from Inkosi in front of a packed audience — including President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
As if a record-breaking firework show wasn’t enough, the event also featured the largest drone show ever held in the Maldives, lighting up the night sky with a synchronised swarm of luminous quadcopters.
Put simply, it was an evening of sky-splitting brilliance — and a very fitting way to welcome the first flight into a brand-new terminal.
Other Recent Record‑Breaking Firework Events: United Arab Emirates Takes the Lead
Sheikh Zayed Festival – Abu Dhabi
As part of New Year’s Eve 2025 celebrations, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Festival delivered an extraordinary 50‑minute continuous fireworks display, setting six new Guinness World Records—including the longest display, most repeated formation per minute, and most fireworks in 24 hours. Over 6,000 drones flew in synchronisation for more than 20 minutes, forming massive aerial words and shapes in the sky.
Ras Al Khaimah NYE 2025
Ras Al Khaimah also made headline news by breaking two Guinness World Records during its New Year celebrations: Largest aerial tree display formed by drones and largest aerial seashell formation. These drone formations—woven into a pyromusical fireworks show—stretched across 5 km of the waterfront, creating one of the most ambitious and culturally themed displays ever seen.
Conflict of the Emirates – The Record War
The UAE's vying emirates continue pushing the boundaries each year: Burj Khalifa in Dubai is famous for its LED‑illuminated façade record, while Rash al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi chase display-length and formation titles annually.
Placing the Maldives Terminal Opening in Context
While the UAE’s records mainly focus on duration, complexity, and spectacle, the Maldives Velana Airport display won in a newly introduced Guinness category: Most Venues Performing Ceremonies and a Choreographed Fireworks Display. The show spanned 19 directions, with all qualifying launch sites adhering to strict criteria and six minutes of aerial choreography, validated by 32 official observers.
This unique format—combining coordinated multi-directional launches across a populated city—makes the Maldives event distinct from the UAE record attempts, rather than overshadowing or being overshadowed by them.
Why It Matters
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Different category, different brilliance: The Maldives display was tested on simultaneity and direction, not volume or length.
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UAE spectacle is still unrivalled for size and drone innovation, but the Maldives added a new benchmark—multi-venue coordination.
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Together, these events show how pyrotechnic creativity is as much about originality as scale.
Inspired to Create a Show of Your Own?
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