Maldives Airports: A Comprehensive Guide To All Of Them

The Republic of Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean, comprising 1,192 islets formed by a double chain of 26 atolls. With its palm-fringed islands, crystal-clear waters, and golden sand, it is a popular international holiday destination. The Maldives has 18 airports in total, including 5 international and 13 domestic airports, which efficiently connect its remote islands. The capital city of Malé is home to the country's main airport, the Velana International Airport, which is also the largest and busiest airport in the country.

Airports in the Maldives

International airports in the Maldives

The Maldives has a total of 18 airports, 5 of which are international airports. The capital city of Malé functions as the key airport in the country. The city's airport, Velana International Airport, is also known as Malé International Airport or Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. It is the largest and busiest airport in the Maldives, located on Hulhulé Island, just 3km or 1km away from the capital city. The airport has 3 terminals and can withstand a capacity of 7.3 million passengers. It is equipped with a domestic terminal, an international terminal, and a water dome for seaplane operations.

Gan International Airport is the second-biggest airport in the Maldives, servicing much of the country's southern atolls. It was built by the British Army as an air force base during World War II. It is the only international airport in the south of the Maldives and it serves several international charter flights. Hanimaadhoo International Airport is one of the newer international airports, providing access to the northernmost atolls, including Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu. It gained international status in 2012 with direct flights to Thiruvananthapuram, India. Villa International Airport, also known as Villa-Maamigili Airport, is located near a host of luxury resorts and is operated by Villa Group for its airline Flyme. Lastly, Maafaru International Airport is capable of accommodating large commercial aircraft and is equipped with state-of-the-art border control systems.

Domestic airports in the Maldives

The Maldives is a country made up of a double chain of 26 atolls, with 1,192 islets, of which 200 are inhabited. The country has 13 domestic airports, which are a blessing when it comes to connecting remote islands.

Dharavandhoo Airport

Dharavandhoo is one of the most populated islands in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The airport, which opened in 2012, is privately owned and has a 1,200-metre runway. It offers flights to Male, Ifuru and Hanimaadhoo.

Kadhdhoo Airport

Kadhdhoo is one of the older airports in the Maldives, having opened in the 1980s. It is located on Kadhdhoo Island, around 260km away from Malé, and serves the islands in Haddhunmathi Atoll. It has a single runway and a VIP lounge.

Kooddoo Airport

Kooddoo Airport opened in 2012, giving access to the previously hard-to-reach Gaafu Alifu Atoll. It has flights from Gan, Kadhdhoo and Malé.

Kaadedhdhoo Airport

Kaadedhdhoo Airport is located on an uninhabited island, with resorts and guesthouses found on nearby islands. It is around 340km south of Malé. Most passengers arriving here transfer by speedboat to the Huvadhu Atoll.

Thimarafushi Airport

Thimarafushi Airport serves the Thaa Atoll region in the Maldives. It opened in 2013 and passengers must transfer through the Velana International Airport to reach it.

Other Domestic Airports

• Kulhudhuffushi Airport: opened in 2019 to serve the Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
• Funadhoo Airport: opened in 2020 and serves the Shaviyani Atoll.
• Ifuru Airport: located on its own island and serves the Raa Atoll.
• Hoarafushi Domestic Airport: opened in 2020 to serve the Haa Alif Atoll.
• Dhaalu Domestic Airport: located on the island of Kudahuvadhoo in the Dhaalu Atoll.

Male International Airport

The Republic of Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island country in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of 26 atolls. The country features 1,192 islets, of which 200 are inhabited. The capital and largest city of the Maldives is Malé.

Some of the major flight carriers operating at Male International Airport include Maldivian, Emirates, Air Asia, China Eastern Airlines, and SriLankan Airlines. Maldivian and Sri Lankan Airlines have the maximum number of flight operations. The airport also offers shuttle services to ensure hassle-free transfers for travellers.

Gan International Airport

The Maldives has a total of 18 airports, with 5 international airports and 13 domestic airports. Gan International Airport, also known as GIA, is the only international airport in the south of the Maldives. It is the country's second-biggest airport, servicing much of the southern atolls.

Gan Airport was initially built by the British Army as an air force base during World War II. In 2012, a joint venture was formed by GACL, MACL, and State Trading Organization Plc (STO) to further develop and expand Gan Airport to international airport standards. The airport was renamed Gan International Airport and is currently owned and managed by Addu International Airport Private Limited (AIA). As of June 2024, 70% of AIA is held by the government of the Maldives, and 30% by KASA Holdings Private Limited.

The airport features a private lounge for private jet passengers, offering one-stop immigration and baggage screening services. As of March 2019, Gan International Airport has experienced one incident involving a Maldivian Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 that suffered a landing gear malfunction. The aircraft landed safely, but the landing gear was not fully retracted.

Villa International Airport

The Villa International Airport, also known as the Villa-Maamigili Airport, is located on the island of Maamigili in Alif Dhaal Atoll. The airport was developed by the Maldivian business tycoon Qasim Ibrahim, a native of Maamigili, with the goal of improving the island's infrastructure and facilities. The airport is managed and operated by his company, Villa Group, on land leased from the government.

The airport is situated near several luxury resorts and primarily serves these nearby destinations. While it has international status, most flights operating from Villa International Airport are domestic. The airport has a single terminal and is equipped with a restaurant and a VIP lounge.

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