Roberta Aguirre
The Republic of Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean, comprising a double chain of 26 atolls. With hundreds of coral islands, palm-fringed beaches, and crystal-clear waters, it's no surprise that the Maldives is one of the most popular international holiday destinations. Travellers can easily access the country's many attractions via its well-connected airports. The main airport in the Maldives is the Velana International Airport, also known as Malé International Airport, located just 3 km from the capital city of Malé.
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What You'll Learn
The main airport in the Maldives is the Velana International Airport
The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island country in the Indian Ocean. It is formed by a double chain of 26 atolls, stretching in a north–south direction off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and the Chagos Archipelago. The capital and largest city of the Maldives is Malé.
Velana International Airport first started as a small strip of land on the then-uninhabited Hulhulé Island. The airport opened on 19 October 1960, with the first aircraft to land being a Royal New Zealand Air Force Bristol Freighter. The first commercial flight landed on 10 April 1962, and the first aircraft owned by the Maldives landed on the runway on 9 October 1974. In 1964, the government and the people of Malé worked together to construct a new asphalt runway, with the fastest district out of the four in Malé receiving prize money of 1,000 rufiyaa. The new runway was opened on 12 April 1966 by President Ibrahim Nasir.
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 airport is now managed financially and administratively by a state-owned company known as the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which was formed on 1 January 1994. On 26 July 2011, the airport was officially renamed Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in memory of 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.
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It is also known as the Male International Airport
The main airport in the Maldives is Velana International Airport, which is also known as the Malé International Airport. It is located in the North Malé Atoll and has been in operation since 1960. The airport is not located in Malé but serves as the main entry point to the city, which is the capital of the Maldives and the world's smallest capital. The airport has an island dedicated to it, Hulhumalé, and is connected to Hulhumalé and Malé through the Sinomalé Bridge. It has three terminals: international, domestic, and a water dome for seaplane operations. The airport is equipped with various facilities, including ATMs, baggage storage, duty-free shops, and food options.
The Maldives, a beautiful island country in South Asia, is a popular destination for travellers seeking a relaxing getaway. With approximately 1,200 islands, the Maldives offers a unique experience with its resorts, biodiversity, culture, and beaches. The country's airports reflect its beauty, with well-maintained facilities and attractive designs. In addition to the main airport in Malé, there are four other international airports in the Maldives: Maafaru International Airport, Hanimaadhoo International Airport, Gan International Airport, and Kaadedhdhoo Airport.
Maafaru International Airport, the second most renowned international airport, is located in Maafaru Island and features a VIP lounge and a passenger terminal. Hanimaadhoo International Airport, situated on the local island of Hanimaadhoo, serves the Haa Dhaalu Atoll and offers direct flights to Thiruvananthapuram and seasonal flights to Kochi in Kerala. Gan International Airport, located on Gan Island, allows both domestic and international aircraft movements and is connected to Colombo by SriLankan Airlines. Kaadedhdhoo Airport, a domestic airport located on Kaadedhdhoo Island, serves the Huvadhu Atoll and offers spectacular sunset views.
The Maldives has a total of 5 international airports and 86 domestic airports, providing travellers with convenient access to its many islands. With its well-structured and organised airports, the Maldives ensures a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for visitors from all over the world. The country's airports are known for their cleanliness and modern amenities, making them a pleasant gateway to this paradise island nation.
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There are 5 international airports in the Maldives
The Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean, comprised of a double chain of 26 atolls. The islands are spread over a vast area, and the country features 1,192 islets, of which 200 are inhabited. The capital and largest city of the Maldives is Malé. The country is well-connected by airports, which makes it easier for travellers to plan a trip to this popular destination.
The second-largest international airport in the Maldives is Maafaru International Airport, which opened in 2019. It is located about 180km from the capital city of Malé and serves the Noonu Atoll region. Maafaru International Airport has a spacious runway that can accommodate the biggest airplanes and up to six private jets simultaneously.
Gan International Airport is another famous international airport in the Maldives. It is situated 544km south of Malé, on Gan Island. This airport served as a military airbase during World War II and is now operated by Addu International Pvt. Ltd.
The remaining international airports in the Maldives are Hanimaadhoo International Airport, which is located 2km from the centre of Malé and has a single runway, and Villa International Airport, commonly known as Villa-Maamigili Airport. Villa International Airport is located about 108km from Malé, on Maamigili Island. It was established in 2011 and had international status until it was downgraded to a domestic airport.
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The airport has 3 terminals: international, domestic, and seaplane
The Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean, comprising a double chain of 26 atolls. The capital and largest city is Malé, located in the North Malé Atoll. The country's main airport is the Malé International Airport, also known as the Velana International Airport (VIA), Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, or Malé-Velana International Airport. It is located on Hulhulé Island, just 3 km away from the capital. The airport is well-connected to major airports worldwide and serves as the primary gateway to the Maldives for tourists. With over 400 flights arriving daily, it is the country's largest and busiest airport.
The seaplane operators in the Maldives, including Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airways, can transport up to 15 passengers at a time. The longest seaplane rides typically last up to 90 minutes, and these flights do not operate at night. For those who prefer a faster option, speedboats are available for transfer between islands. The local dhoni boats are also a popular choice for a more gentle and charming journey across the waters.
In addition to the main airport in Malé, the Maldives has a total of 18 airports, including 5 international and 13 domestic airports. The government aims to have an airport within 20 minutes of each inhabited island. Hanimaadhoo International Airport, located on Hanimaadhoo Island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, is one of the three international airports in the country. It provides access to the northernmost atolls, including Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu. Maafaru International Airport, which opened in 2019, is another airport serving the Noonu Atoll region.
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The airport is located in Hulhule' island
The main airport in the Maldives is located in Hulhule Island, near the capital city of Male. Hulhule Airport, now known as Velana International Airport, was first opened on 19 October 1960. It started as a small strip of land on the then-uninhabited Hulhule Island. The first runway, built by the people and government of Male, was made of asphalt and inaugurated on 12 April 1966.
The airport is well-connected to major airports worldwide and serves as the main gateway to the Maldives for tourists. It is the largest and busiest airport in the country, accommodating over 400 flights and large aircraft daily, including the Airbus A380. It is also the headquarters of two airline companies: Trans Maldivian Airways, which operates seaplanes, and Maldivian, the national airline.
The airport has three terminals: one international, one domestic, and a water dome for seaplane operations. It is equipped with ATMs, a branch of the Bank of Maldives, forex counters, a pharmacy, a health centre, free internet kiosks, baggage storage, duty-free shops, and food options.
Travellers can reach other islands in the country by transferring to another commercial flight, a seaplane, or a boat. The local boat, known as a dhoni, can be found at the airport ferry jetty and is a charming way to travel between islands.
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Frequently asked questions
Velana International Airport (VIA), 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 Maldives has 18 airports, with 5 international and 13 domestic. The government is working towards having an airport within 20 minutes of each inhabited island.
Gan International Airport, built by the British Army as an airbase during World War II, is the second-biggest airport in the Maldives. It is located on Gan Island and is the only international airport in the south of the country.
Kulhudhuffushi Airport is the newest domestic airport in the Maldives, having opened in 2019. The newest international airport is Maafaru International Airport, which opened in 2019.
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