Jazmin Li
The Republic of Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean, formed by a double chain of 26 atolls. The country has 18 airports, 5 of which are international and 13 are domestic. The main international airport in the Maldives is Velana International Airport (VIA), also known as Malé-Velana International Airport, Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, and Male International Airport. It is located on Hulhulé Island in the southern Malé Atoll, just 3km away from the capital city of Malé.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main International Airport | Velana International Airport (VIA) |
| Other Names for the Main International Airport | Malé-Velana International Airport, Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Malé International Airport, Male Airport, Male Velana International Airport |
| Location | Hulhulé Island in the southern Malé Atoll (or Kaafu Atoll) |
| Distance from the Capital Malé | 3 km |
| Number of Terminals | 3 |
| Number of Runways | 1 |
| Length of Runway | 3,400 metres (11,155 ft) |
| Number of Airports in the Maldives | 18 (5 international and 13 domestic) |
| Second Biggest Airport | Gan Airport |
| Other Notable Airports | Hanimaadhoo International Airport, Maafaru International Airport, Hoarafushi Airport, Thimarafushi Airport, Kadhdhoo Airport, Kooddoo Airport, Maavarulu Airport, Fuvahmulah Airport, Villa International Airport, Dharavandhoo Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Male Velana International Airport
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 was made of slotted steel sheets. The first aircraft to land at the airport was a Royal New Zealand Air Force Bristol Freighter on 19 October 1960 at 13:55 hrs. The first commercial flight, an Air Ceylon flight, landed on 10 April 1962. In 1964, the government and the people of Malé worked together to construct a new asphalt runway, which opened on 12 April 1966.
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". On 26 July 2011, the airport was officially renamed the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in memory of Ibrahim Nasir, the second President of the Maldives and the airport's founder. 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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Villa International Airport
The airport opened on October 1, 2011, as a domestic airport. In 2013, it was upgraded to international standards, but in August 2014, the government downgraded it back to domestic status due to security concerns. However, just 23 days later, it was reinstated as an international airport. In January 2015, Villa Air, also known as Flyme, began seaplane operations from Villa Airport, providing direct transportation to two of their flagship resorts located on neighbouring islands.
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Gan International Airport
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 venture, Addu International Airport Private Limited (AIA), currently owns and manages Gan International Airport. As of June 2024, 70% of AIA is held by the government of the Maldives, and 30% by KASA Holdings Private Limited.
In 2023, AIA signed a contract with Renaatus Projects Pvt Ltd to expand the airport to include larger passenger terminals, a fire station, parking lots, cargo facilities, restaurants, duty-free shops, and a control tower. Gan International Airport is capable of accommodating ICAO code 4E aircraft.
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Thimarafushi 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 capital and largest city, Malé, is served by the country's biggest airport, Velana International Airport (VIA), often referred to as the 'gateway to the Maldives'.
Velana International Airport is located on Hulhulé Island in the southern Malé Atoll, and it is well connected with major airports around the world, serving as the primary gateway to the Maldives for tourists. This airport first opened in 1960, and it has since undergone several rebranding and expansion projects.
One of the airports in the Maldives that can be accessed through VIA is Thimarafushi Airport. Serving the Thaa Atoll, Thimarafushi Airport is located south of Malé and opened in 2013. It is a small airport with only one domestic terminal.
To reach Thimarafushi Airport, travellers must transfer through VIA. From VIA, travellers can also reach any other island in the Maldives by transferring to another commercial flight, a seaplane, or a boat.
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Hanimaadhoo International Airport
The airport on Hanimaadhoo Island is a convenient option for residents of Haa Alif, for whom the nearest airport was previously located in Hanimaadhoo. The island's airport opened in 2020 and features one domestic terminal.
Velana International Airport, also known as Malé-Velana International Airport, is the main international airport in the Maldives. Located on Hulhulé Island in the southern Malé Atoll, it is well connected with major airports worldwide and acts as the primary gateway to the Maldives for tourists. Gan International Airport is the only international airport in the south of the country.
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Frequently asked questions
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.
The airport was first known as Hulhule Airport, then in 1981 it was renamed Malé International Airport. On 26 July 2011, it was renamed the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in memory of the 2nd President of the Maldives. On 1 January 2017, the airport was rebranded as Velana International Airport.
Gan International Airport is the only other international airport in the south of the Maldives. Hanimaadhoo International Airport in the north of the country also has international status. Villa International Airport is another international airport in the Maldives.
Velana International Airport has a capacity of 7.3 million passengers.
