All airports in Maldives: international and domestic

According to the Ministry of Tourism, more than a million tourists from all over the world visit the Maldives every year. The tourism sector is constantly developing, so the country's need for airport terminals is also increasing. Local authorities are making efforts to promote this development and provide guests with the most convenient transfer even to the most remote and hard-to-reach corners of the country.

Therefore, along with the "old-timer airports" in the Maldives, new airports are opening that serve domestic flights and provide travelers with an alternative to a convenient but expensive seaplane transfer.

To date, this island nation has 18 airports: 5 international and 13 domestic, a complete list of which you will find in this article.

Depositphotos

International airports

Communication of the Maldives with the outside world is carried out by flights from the following airports.

Velana International Airport International

Velana airport International (also known as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport or Male Airport ) is the main artery of the country's transport system. Opened in the mid-60s, constantly developing and increasing traffic, today this air hub connects the Maldives with more than 20 countries, including: the UAE, Singapore, Qatar, Great Britain, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, India and Sri -Lanka.

In addition to international, the airport also serves local flights.

For airport guests, all the basic services that travelers may need are provided:

• currency exchange and ATMs;
• luggage packing and storage services;
• mother and child room;
• 24-hour information desk;
• tourist police office;
• Duty stores Free;
• pharmacy and medical center;
• food courts.

Hulhule is a short drive from the airport. Island Hotel, where travelers can comfortably spend the night while waiting for their transfer to distant islands.

Get from the airport to the capital Male in 10-15 minutes by public ferry, speedboat or bus.

• Where located - Hulhule Island.
• Resorts nearby - Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives.

Depositphotos

Gan International Airport

Gan International initially served as a staging area for the RAF and was taken over by the Maldivian government in 1976. Today it serves local and international flights. In particular, flights are operated from Gan Airport to Male, as well as to Sri Lanka.

• Location - Gan Island, Addu Atoll.
• Distance from Male - 545 km.
• Resorts nearby - Equator Village Resort, Canareef Resort Maldives.

Asad Photo Maldives

Maafaru International Airport

This airport was officially opened on December 1, 2019. Its construction was part of a plan to develop Noonu Atoll as a luxury tourist area and was accompanied by a number of incidents related to the negative impact of construction on the ecology of the island. Thus, there was a threat of destruction of turtle nesting sites, and there were also cases of illegal export of coconut trees uprooted during construction.

Today, the airport serves regular domestic and international flights, as well as private charters. There are flights from here to India as well as some inland islands including Ifuru and Male.

The airport has a passenger terminal, a VIP lounge and is operated by the national airline Maldivian .

• Location - Maafaru island, Noonu atoll.
• Distance from Male - 183 km.
• Resorts near - Velaa Private Island, Cheval Blanc Randheli, Soneva Jani.
  
  

Hanimaadhoo International Airport

This small airport has only one runway. Serves mainly domestic flights, in particular, connecting the island with the capital Male.

• Location - Hanimaadhoo island, atoll Haa Dhaalu.
• Distance from Male - 285 km.
• Resorts nearby - Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, The Barefoot Eco Hotel.
  
  

Maamigili International Airport

Villa Airport, although it is considered international, is mainly designed to serve domestic aviation vessels. It has one small concrete runway and receives flights from Velana International Airport .

• Location - Maamigili Island, Alif Atoll Dhaal.
• Distance from Male - 110 km.
• Resorts near LUX South Ari Atoll, Amaya Resort Kuda Rah.

Asad Photo Maldives

Domestic airports

For your convenience, we have prepared a table containing a list of regional Maldivian airports and resorts located in their immediate vicinity.

Due to the current epidemiological situation, air carriers may restrict flights in certain directions. Therefore, carefully check the information before booking.