Roberta Aguirre
Velana International Airport, also known as Malé-Velana International Airport, is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is located on the island of Hulhulé, in the North Malé Atoll, and is the country's main transport hub. The airport is well connected with major airports around the world, serving as the main gateway to the Maldives for tourists. It is conveniently located just 10 minutes by boat from Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Velana International Airport (VIA), Malé-Velana International Airport, Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Malé International Airport, Malé Airport |
| Location | Hulhulé Island, North Malé Atoll, Kaafu Atoll |
| Year of Opening | 1960 |
| Owner | Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) |
| Number of Runways | 1 |
| Length of Runway | 3,400 metres (11,155 ft) |
| Breadth of Runway | 60 metres (197 ft) |
| Number of Terminals | 3 (International Terminal, Domestic Terminal, and Seaplane Terminal) |
| Services | Pizza cafe, Burger King, currency exchange points, ATM, local SIM card |
| Connectivity | China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, ferry service, speedboat transfer |
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What You'll Learn
Velana International Airport is on Hulhulé Island
Velana International Airport, also known as Malé-Velana International Airport, is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is situated on Hulhulé Island in the southern Malé Atoll (or Kaafu Atoll), close to the capital island of Malé. The airport is the main gateway to the Maldives for tourists, who arrive from major cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar.
The airport first started as a small strip of land on the then-uninhabited Hulhulé Island. The Hulhulé Airport was opened on 19 October 1960, with a runway made of slotted steel sheets. Over the years, the airport has undergone several name changes and renovations to accommodate increasing tourist traffic to the Maldives. The airport is managed and operated by the state-owned company Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
Velana International Airport has a single asphalt runway designated 18/36, measuring 60 metres by 3,400 metres. The airport also has an adjacent waterdrome for seaplane operations, with four water runways. There are three terminals: the International Terminal, the Domestic Terminal, and the waterdrome Seaplane Terminal. The airport includes the corporate headquarters of Trans Maldivian Airways.
The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, opened in September 2018, connects the capital Malé and Hulhulé Island, allowing for a quick five-minute transfer between the two islands by land. A regular ferry service is also available, with a journey time of about ten minutes. Additionally, speedboat transfers can be arranged at the airport.
Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, passengers must go through immigration and customs control, which includes a thorough baggage check for prohibited items such as alcohol. The airport provides essential amenities, including currency exchange points, ATMs, and a variety of food outlets.
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It's the main airport in the Maldives
Velana International Airport, also known as Malé-Velana International Airport, is the main airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhulé Island in the southern Malé Atoll (or Kaafu Atoll), nearby the capital island Malé. The airport is well connected with major airports around the world, mostly serving as the main gateway into the Maldives for tourists. It is managed financially and administratively by a state-owned company known as the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). The airport first started as a small strip of land on the then-inhabited island of Hulhulé. Hulhulé Airport was opened on 19 October 1960, and the first runway built on Hulhulé Island was made of slotted steel sheets.
When the tourism boom in the Maldives began in 1972, the country needed an international-standard airport to transport international tourists to the resort islands. The International Airports Authority of India successfully completed the construction of Hulhule Airport, which was inaugurated on 11 November 1981, under a new name: Malé International Airport. The airport has been renamed several times since then, with its current name, Velana International Airport, being adopted in 2017.
The airport includes the corporate headquarters of Trans Maldivian Airways. It has one asphalt runway and four water runways for seaplane operations. The airport has three terminals: the International Terminal, the Domestic Terminal, and the waterdrome Seaplane Terminal.
Malé Airport is conveniently connected to the capital, Malé City, by a regular ferry service that takes about 10 minutes. There is also the option of renting a speedboat transfer. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which opened in September 2018, provides a land connection between Malé and Hulhulé Island, allowing for a quick five-minute transfer between the two islands.
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The airport has three terminals
Velana International Airport, also known as Malé-Velana International Airport, is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhulé Island in the southern Malé Atoll, nearby the capital island of Malé. The airport is well connected with major airports around the world and serves as the main gateway to the Maldives for tourists.
The International Terminal is equipped with currency exchange points, an ATM, and a variety of food outlets, including a pizza cafe and Burger King. It is recommended that passengers arrive at the International Terminal three hours before departure for international flights and one hour before departure for domestic flights. The Domestic Terminal also offers conveniences such as a Bank of Maldives branch and currency exchange facilities.
The airport has undergone several developments over the years, including the construction of a new runway in 2018, which was built to accommodate larger aircraft. The airport is committed to sustainability and has implemented eco-friendly initiatives, including solar energy projects and waste management practices.
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It's also known as Malé-Velana International Airport
The main international airport in the Maldives is Velana International Airport (VIA), also known as Malé-Velana International Airport. It is located on Hulhulé Island in the southern Malé Atoll (or Kaafu Atoll), nearby the capital island Malé. The airport is well connected with major airports around the world, serving as the main gateway to the Maldives for tourists.
The airport first started as a small strip of land on the then-inhabited island of Hulhulé. Hulhulé Airport was opened on 19 October 1960, with a runway made of slotted steel sheets. The airport was officially inaugurated as Malé International Airport on 11 November 1981, following the construction of an international standard airport to transport international tourists to the resort islands. On 26 July 2011, the airport was renamed Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in memory of Ibrahim Nasir, the 2nd President of the Maldives and the founder of the airport. On 1 January 2017, the airport was rebranded as Velana International Airport, referring to the family house name of President Ibrahim Nasir.
Malé Airport is located on the island of Hulhumale, handling two million tourists annually. It is the country's main transport hub, with the only runway on the island of Hulhule, 10 minutes by boat from the capital of the Maldives. The airport is linked by scheduled direct flights to major cities in southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, accepting airlines such as Etihad Airways, Aeroflot, Air Asia, Emirates, and many others. It is also the starting point for other islands in the Maldives archipelago.
The airport has three terminals: the International Terminal, the Domestic Terminal, and the waterdrome Seaplane Terminal. It includes the corporate headquarters of Trans Maldivian Airways. A new runway was inaugurated in September 2018, measuring 3,400 metres by 60 metres, built to serve larger aircraft. The airport boasts excellent mobile signal coverage, and passengers can acquire a local SIM card upon arrival. There are also various eateries and art installations showcasing the rich heritage and environmental wonders of the islands.
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It's 10 minutes from the capital of the Maldives by boat
The Maldives' main airport, Velana International Airport, is located on the island of Hulhulé in the North Malé Atoll. It is just 10 minutes from the capital of the Maldives, Malé, by boat.
The airport is also known as Malé-Velana International Airport, or simply Malé Airport, and is the main gateway to the Maldives for tourists. It is well connected with major airports around the world, with direct flights to and from cities in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The airport is also the starting point for travel onwards to other islands in the Maldives archipelago.
The capital, Malé, is connected to the airport by the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which opened in 2018. This two-kilometre bridge allows for a five-minute transfer between the airport and the capital by road. There is also a regular ferry service between the two, which takes 10 minutes and costs $1.20. Speedboat transfers are also available for a faster journey time.
Upon arrival at Malé airport, passengers will need to go through immigration and customs control. The compact size of the airport means that it is easy to navigate, with a short walk from the gate to the baggage carousel. There are also various eateries and food outlets, including a pizza cafe and a Burger King.
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Frequently asked questions
Velana International Airport, also known as Malé-Velana International Airport.
The airport is located on the island of Hulhulé in the southern Malé Atoll (or Kaafu Atoll).
The airport's IATA code is MLE, and its ICAO code is VRMM.
Hulhulé Airport first opened on 19 October 1960. It was later renamed Malé International Airport and then Ibrahim Nasir International Airport before getting rebranded as Velana International Airport on 1 January 2017.
The airport has three terminals: the International Terminal, the Domestic Terminal, and the waterdrome Seaplane Terminal.
