International Airports in the Maldives
The airports in the Maldives have to keep up with the travel demand all year long because this stunning location receives a record number of visitors. More than a million tourists from across the world come to the island nation in the Indian Ocean to vacation in one of the 120 resorts and 300+ guesthouses spread throughout the archipelago.
The Maldives boasts 15 airports, five of which are international. So if you’re planning a trip to the Maldives and are unsure which airline to use or which airport to land at, look no further.
Here is the information you need to know about the top international airports in the Maldives that guarantee seamless travel.
Tip: Here’s a list of the best airlines to use when traveling to the Maldives from around the world.
List of International Airports | Maldives
There are five international airports in the Maldives that visitors should be aware of when traveling to this island nation. Let’s take a look at them in detail.
Velana International Airport
North Malé Atoll
The main airport in the Maldives is Velana International Airport. The Ibrahim Nasir/Malé/Hulhule International Airport is another name for this international airport in the Maldives.
The Maldives Airports Company Limited runs the airport, which wasn’t initially built in Malé but began accepting passengers in 1960. Here, the headquarters of two airlines may be found: Trans Maldivian Airways and the Maldivian, the nation’s flag carrier.
This airport serves as the primary entry point for most visitors to the Maldives. There are connections between this Velana International Airport and most main airports worldwide.
In addition to acting as a gateway for international travel, you can reach the Maldives archipelago’s other islands through Velana International Airport. Domestic flights to airports in the Maldives are operated by local carriers like Maldivian and FlyMe.
This airport in the Maldives is unquestionably among the best and most renowned.
Terminals: The airport features three terminals: a domestic terminal, an international terminal, and a third water dome for seaplane operations.
Transportation to and from the Airport: Speedboats or seaplanes are the only means of transportation if you are staying on a resort island, and both are accessible from the airport.
On the other hand, you can locate ferries from this airport that will carry you to the capital city. A separate organization handles the boat rides and airport business. The least expensive mode of transportation is a ferry, which runs every 10 to 15 minutes during the day and costs about $1; a premium is added at night. However, on Fridays, these are only offered until midnight.
Top Airlines In Operation:
- Emirates
- Qatar
- Turkish
- Fly Dubai
- Aeroflot
Services & Facilities At Velana International Airport:
- Health Center
- Pharmacies
- Internet Kiosks for Free
- Currency Exchange Booths
- Lounges (including VIP lounge)
- Baggage Storage Facility
- Duty-Free Stores
- Stalls for Each Resort
- ATM
- Dining Options
Nearby Hotels:
- Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
- Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
- Paradise Island Resort & Spa
- Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Airport Codes for Maldives: IATA – MLE & ICAO – VRMM
Gan International Airport
Seenu Atoll
One of the five international airports in the Maldives, Gan International Airport has fewer flight operations and is smaller than Velana International Airport. This airfield, tucked away to the south of the Maldives, was initially constructed by the Royal Navy and served as a military airbase during World War II.
Gan International Airport provides year-round domestic and international flight travel. SriLankan Airlines, which connects to Colombo, is the global airline operating at this airport. It has a modest number of flight operations, yet it is listed second for sufficient reason.
It’s one of the few international airports in the Maldives that provides services, including a prayer room, medical facilities, and a top-notch restaurant. It is also managed by Addu International Airport Pvt. Ltd.
On October 4, 2022, the Ministry of Economic Development started the bidding process for the reconstruction of Gan International Airport. The project calls for the construction of a terminal with a 1.5 million passenger annual capacity.
Terminals: There are two terminals at the Gan International Airport, which are used for domestic and international travel.
Transportation to and from the Airport: Taxis are the primary mode of transportation from the airport. Speedboats are required to reach the other resort islands.
Top Airlines In Operation:
- FlyMe
- Maldivian
- SriLankan Airlines
Services & Facilities At Gan International Airport:
- Prayer Room for Muslim travelers
- Restaurant
- Medical Facilities
- Free Wi-Fi (Only for Executive Terminal)
- Lounge & Television (Only for Executive Terminal)
Nearby Hotels:
- Equator Village Resorts
- Equatorial Divers Lodge
- Addu Stay
- Wave Sound by 3S
- Abuharee Grand
- Rekidhiye Inn
Airport Codes for Maldives: IATA – GAN and ICAO – VRMG
Hanimaadhoo International Airport
Haa Dhaalu Atoll
The Hanimaadhoo Airport, located in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, is local and international. This airport serves Haa Dhaalu, one of the top tourist destinations in the Maldives. It is maintained by the Maldives Airports Company Limited and has a single runway for domestic and international operations.
This airport in the Maldives is one of the country’s busiest airports. The only international airline that uses this airport is Maldivian Airlines. This airport has a connection to Trivandrum, which is situated in Kerala.
With daily internal flights from Malé and Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV) and international flights from Thiruvananthapuram, India, it is now a Maldives International Airport.
Building a new terminal and extending the runway to accommodate long-haul flights are two expansion plans for the Maldives’ new airport. Malé to Hanimaadhoo flights are operated by Maldivian and FlyMe every day.
Terminals: There is only one runway at the Hanimaadhoo International Airport, which is used for domestic and international travel.
Transportation to and from the Airport: Seaplanes can be used to reach other islands in the Maldives.
Top Airlines In Operation:
Maldivian is the only airline operating out of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport, with connections to India and other local destinations like Malé, Dharavandhoo, and Ifuru.
Services & Facilities:
- Airport Information
- Tourist Information
- Internet Access
- Baggage Facilities
- Luggage Facilities
- Security Service
- Showers
- Medical Facilities
Nearby Hotels:
- Viluveli Holiday Retreat
- Barefoot Eco Hotel
- Hondaafushi Island Resort
- Blue Coral Vashafaru Maldives
Airport Codes for Maldives: IATA – HAQ & ICAO – VRMH
Maafaru International Airport
Noonu Atoll
The Maldives’ Maafaru International Airport is situated on the Noonu Atoll, one of the most populated islands. Built in 2020 to accommodate the landing of larger aircraft, this is the Maldives’ second-most well-known international airport. It is anticipated that private planes will also be able to land at this airport due to the mile-long runway.
As a result, the airport is becoming incredibly important. The runway at this airport is big enough to handle A320 and Boeing 737 aircrafts.
This airport is also beginning to draw numerous tourists. As a result, the area is starting to develop a reputation for being ultra-luxurious.
The airport also plans to develop a passenger terminal, a city hotel, and facilities for jet parking. A cutting-edge border control system was implemented at Maafaru International Airport in 2020, making it more straightforward for visitors to pass through the airport. Thermal cameras, glass partitions at service counters, and social distance markers are also present in the airport.
Terminals: Run by Island Aviation, Maafaru International boasts a mile-long runway and even permits private aircraft landings. There is a VIP lounge in the airport’s single terminal.
Transportation to and from the Airport: Speedboats and taxis are the primary modes of transportation from this airport.
Top Airlines In Operation:
- FlyMe
- Maldivian
- Manta Air
Services & Facilities:
- Luxury Hotels
- Parking Space
Nearby Hotels:
- Soneva Jani
- Velaa Private Island
- Cheval Blanc Randheli
Airport Code for Maldives: NMF
Villa International Airport Maamigili
Alifu Dhaalu Atoll
The Villa International Airport is a leading airport that offers flights to Malé Airport and is situated around 67 miles southwest of Malé Island. Maamigili native and Maldives businessman Qasim Ibrahim created the airport, which is situated on the South Ari atoll, as a project to build the island’s tourism infrastructure.
The Villa Group manages the airport, which only has one terminal and one runway made of concrete. The airport, renowned for handling more than 170,000 people yearly, even serves as a hub for the private airline FlyMe.
Transportation to and from the Airport: From this airport in the Maldives, speedboats can be utilized to go to other islands and resorts.
Top Airlines In Operation:
- FlyMe
- Charter Seaplanes
Services & Facilities:
- Airport Information
- Tourist Information
- Internet Access
- Baggage Facilities
- Luggage Facilities
- Security Service
- Showers
- Prayer Room
- Restaurant
Nearby Hotels:
- Boutique Beach Guesthouse
- K Villas Maldives
- Radisson Blu Resort Maldives
- Amaya Resorts & Spas Kuda Rah Maldives
Airport Codes for Maldives: IATA – VAM & ICAO – VRMV
Have You Chosen The Right Airport For You?
The entry points to this idyllic island are the airports in the Maldives. The airports are top-notch, fully furnished with modern conveniences, and kept in excellent condition.
Although there are many airports in the Maldives, the Velana International Airport is the best as it has more international travel options than the other international airports.
Plan your journey through the Maldives by looking at our guides to domestic travel in the Maldives and how much it will cost to visit this island nation. Now all you need to do is travel to the Maldives and spend some time in absolute bliss.