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The Maldives is a paradise destination in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Far away from the rest of the world, the most preferred way to reach this 1192-island archipelago is by air.
Sailing enthusiasts occasionally take their yachts to the Maldives, but it is a time-consuming and specialized way to visit the islands. Cruises are limited in their operations and barely cover much of the archipelago.
If a sailing experience is what you want, look into booking a liveaboard holiday in the Maldives instead.
Air travel is the perfect mode of transportation for short-term and long-term tourists.
Regular flights from Europe and Asia land in the Maldives daily. Along with them come thousands of adventure, luxury, and fun-seeking travelers to the World’s Leading Travel Destination of 2020.
Runway at Velana International Airport, Maldives
Maldives airports
The Maldives covers an area of nearly 90,000 square kilometers. While ferries and speedboats are common, the fastest way to travel from one island to another is by air.
Catering to this need are the 14 airports in the Maldives. Five new airports are under construction and will open soon.
Out of the 14, only four are officially international airports. The remaining are for domestic flights.
Gan and Hanimaadhoo airports have one international flight each that arrives on their runways. Maafuru International Airport is yet to start overseas connections.
Velana International is the Maldives airport where the bulk of international flights land. It is commonly known as Malé Airport or even Maldives international airport.
Where is Velana International Airport?
Situated in the North Malé Atoll, Malé Airport is on the island of Hulhulé. The airport is a short hop from the capital.
Passengers can travel from the airport to Malé via ferry boats or by taxi that uses the Sinamalé bridge. The airport further connects with Hulhumalé via the Hulhumalé – Hulhulé Link Road.
Maldives airport code as per IATA is MLE. Velana International Airport is often referred to as VIA in many places. That is simply a short-form and not its Maldives airport code.
Malé Airport Company Limited (MACL) is the governing body that takes care of everything at Velana Airport. The President of the country elects the board members. MACL is a 100% government-owned corporation.
Welcoming millions of international and local passengers every year, Malé Airport has three terminals – international, domestic, and seaplane.
Velana International Airport connects with over 35 worldwide destinations
History of Malé Airport
Velana International Airport has gone through a few name changes over the years. It started operations in 1960 as Hulhulé Airport.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force plane was the first to land on the airport’s single runway. However, it was an Air Ceylon plane in 1962 that was the first commercial flight to land here.
The government upgraded the airport in 1981 as tourism began to prosper in the Maldives. It was then called Malé International Airport.
Another change took place in 2011 when the airport was named Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. However, with the new government in 2017, the airport’s name became Velana International Airport.
In 2018, Maldives international airport added a new runway. And in 2019, it started its seaplane terminal.
Flights arriving at Malé Airport
Over 30 airlines from 35 international destinations arrive at Malé Airport every year. While some have permanent schedules, others are seasonal or charters.
There is a long list of reputable airlines with direct connections from Asia and Europe that land here. However, there are no direct flights to Maldives from America, Africa, Australia, or New Zealand. Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, and Dubai are the most frequently used airports for transfers to the Maldives.
Malé Airport has maximum connections from Sri Lanka. More than 30 SriLankan Airlines flights arrive from Colombo during the week. The flying time from Colombo to Malé is only 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Male Airport – Ready to welcome millions of tourists every year
Facilities at Malé Airport
Amenities at Velana International include an array of conveniences found at most tourist airports.
At the airport, passengers have access to 24-hour health care, a pharmacy, prayer room, free trollies, baggage lockers, a nursery, free showers, a post office, a smoking lounge, and ATMs.
Additionally, there are counters for domestic airlines and hotels, currency exchange booths, bag wrapping services, and a wellness center where travelers can get relaxing spa treatments.
Other facilities at Malé Airport are;
Free internet
Maldives international airport provides 25-minutes of free internet to all travelers. To get the internet, search for “Airport Wi-Fi.” Log in using your phone (must have a local sim). You will then receive a code to start browsing.
The airport also has free-to-use internet kiosks at a few locations in the building.
Lounges
There are two main lounges at Malé Airport. Leeli Lounge is in the departure terminal near the Duty-Free shops. Most international airlines have a deal with the lounge to accommodate their first, business, and special tier passengers.
You cannot pay and enter the lounge. Facilities in the Leeli include comfortable seating for 150 people, food and drinks, TV, charging points, free Wi-Fi, and basic business services.
Maamahi Executive Lounge is available to passengers arriving in the Maldives or leaving it. Meant for Commercially Important Persons and VIPs, the lounge has a seating capacity of 75 and offers a range of luxurious comforts.
Information desk
If unsure about anything, passengers can stop by the information desk situated outside the terminal exit. It stays open 24×7. The staff there can help you with transport and finding your hotel representative.
Tourist police
The tourist police station at Maldives international airport is near the departure terminal. You can also contact them by dialing 1478 on a local phone.
VIA Maldives
VIA Maldives is a beneficial app to have installed on your phone. It offers information about your boarding pass, real-time flight details, retail and food options, transportation, and hotels near Malé Airport.
Telecommunications
It is advisable to purchase a local SIM card when you arrive, especially if you plan to work remotely in the Maldives.
The two topmost telecom operators, Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, have their outlets in the concourse area near the exit gates.
Plans for the future
As Maldives international airport grows in popularity with each passing year, there has been a need for expansion to accommodate more passengers.
Ongoing or recently completed work at the airport includes an international passenger building to welcome 7.5 million guests annually, a new fuel farm, cargo terminal, seaplane terminal, and CIP/VIP building.
Retail therapy at Maldives International Airport
Shopping at Malé Airport
Looking to indulge in some last-minute retail therapy? Forgot to pick up Maldivian souvenirs for your friends and family? Worry not!
Maldives airport has 670 square meters of space designated for shopping. The Duty-Free shop in the departure lounge offers Made in Maldives gifts, perfumes, watches, confectioneries, and even elegantly packed local spices.
In case you want to shop as soon as you reach the Maldives, step inside Dhovemi Arrival Shop situated next to the exits. The multi-brand shop sells clothes, sunglasses, travel accessories, and cosmetics from several luxury brands.
Food at Velana International Airport
Compared to other airports in capital cities, food and beverage options are limited at Malé Airport, having Maldives airport code MLE. That is not to say that passengers do not have a choice.
There are food courts in the departure concourse and the departure terminal. Brands such as Burger King, The Pizza Company, and Costa Coffee, among others, have their outlets here.
After arriving in Malé, if you have time before a domestic flight, head to the Waterfront Franchise Building, situated opposite the domestic terminal. Here, you can sit back, admire the Malé skyline, and bite into yummy food from Pizza Hut, KFC, and Secret Recipe.
Hotels near Velana International Aiport
Hulhule Island Hotel is a much-preferred choice of business persons and travelers who want to stay close to Maldives international airport. Offering five-star luxury, this Maldives airport hotel is an oceanfront property with a swimming pool and beach. Only five minutes away, there is a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel.
For more choice in hotels, you will have to either go to Malé or Hulhumalé. Properties such as Jen Maldives Malé, H78, Vista Beach Retreat, the Somerset, and Oblu Select at Sangeli are within 3km of the airport.
A seaplane awaits passengers at the Maldives Seaplane Terminal
Transportation options at Malé Airport
After exiting Maldives Airport, passengers have a few different transportation options they can select. However, to go from the airport to your resort, you need to pre-book a transfer.
If you have booked one through your resort, go straight to the resort desk. A member of the staff will guide you where to go.
Most passengers either choose a speedboat or a seaplane connection to their retreat island. However, more budget travelers in the Maldives than ever are happy to use the local ferry network.
Seaplane
The seaplane terminal is close to the Maldives international airport. Since you can only make seaplane bookings via your resort, go to their desk first. The staff will then transfer you to the terminal by a 5-minute bus or van ride.
Domestic flight
For resorts further away from Malé, book a domestic flight to a nearby island. Maldivian Air, FlyMe, and Manta Air are the best domestic airlines flying in Maldivian skies.
The domestic terminal is a short 2–5-minute walk from Maldives international airport.
Ferry
If you plan to spend your vacation on an inhabited island, a ferry is a good idea. From the airport, you’ll first have to take a boat to Malé. This 10-minute trip costs $1.
From the ferry terminal in Malé, you can catch a vessel to several inhabited islands.
Male Airport offers multiple transportation options – from seaplanes and speedboats to local ferries
Speedboat
There are three ways to arrange for a speedboat transfer from Maldives airport. If booked through the resort, their boat will be waiting for you upon arrival. However, you may have to wait if the hotel is using the same speedboat to transfer other guests, arriving by a later flight.
Alternatively, you can book a group speedboat transfer. Owned by local companies, these are cheaper than what your hotel will charge. Shared speedboats typically stop at a couple of resorts along the way.
If money is of no concern, book a private speedboat. In this case, you can leave for your resort as soon as you are out of the airport.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available at the Arrivals terminal. A taxi to Malé or Hulhumalé costs around $7.
Bus
There is a regular bus service every half-hour from the airport to Malé. The pink bus crosses the Sinamalé bridge and drops you outside the Greater Malé Bus terminal. For Hulhumalé, take the red bus that stops at a couple of places on the reclaimed island.
A friendly welcome
Unlike some of the bigger airports around the world, Male Airport is small and comfortable to navigate. The staff at the airport is friendly and always happy to help.
Since the airport is the first impression of the Maldives for all travelers, the airport authority makes the entire process of immigration, visa on arrival, baggage claim, and transportation easy to understand.
Moreover, upon arrival, you simply need to check-in at your resort desk, and they will take care of the rest. This way, you can relax and leave all your worries behind from the very moment you land in paradise.
N.B.:all information is correct as of post publication date, and prices are subjected to change.
