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The Maldives is a small South Asian country surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is known for its coral reefs and comes in every vacation destination list. The country is well dispersed consisting of about 1,200 islands out of which around 200 are inhabited. Maldives perhaps considered as the  most popular holiday destination in the world and one could easily spend hours telling about how stunning the white sand is  and how adorable the dolphins are in the azure ocean. So the breathtaking views of Maldives attract visitors from different corners of the world. These islands are well connected by 14 airports; There are around 4 international airports and 86 domestic airports which makes all the transport process easier. Equipped with all the facilities and well-designed, these airports makes the best experience for the travelers. To know more about the airports in Maldives, here is a list of the major airports which makes a difference. 

Top List Of Airports In Maldives

Maldives, being the world’s most dispersed nation, spreaded over an area of more than 90000 sq kms, offers some splendid Islands to roam around in its every corner. In such a land like Maldives, airlines of maldives international airport are blessings as the airlines connect the remote Islands of Maldives and also reduce travel in between the Islands as well as the time if travelling. This is a list of airports in Maldives you can follow.

  • Velana International Airport
  • Hanimaadhoo International Airport
  • Gan International Airport
  • Villa International Airport
  • Kadhdhoo Airport
  • Dharavandhoo Airport
  • Ifuru Airport
  • Kooddoo Airport
  • Dhaalu Airport
  • Fuvahmulah Airport
  • Kaadedhdhoo Airport
  • Thimarafushi Airport
  • Kulhudhuffushi Airport
  • Maafaru International Airport

1. Velana International Airport

Velana International

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Also known as Ibrahim/Malé/Hulhule International Airport. Situated in Hulhule Island, it is the main gateway to the Maldives. A well-connected airport is operating notable airlines like Emirates, Air Asia, etc. The airport is connected to major cities like New Delhi, Singapore, Hong Kong and Moscow. It is well linked to the domestic terminals and is an active site for seaplane operations. It is situated about two kilometres away from the capital, Malé. Ferry rides are available but only to Malé. They are managed by independent group Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) thus providing a variety of facilities like health centre, duty free shops, free internet kiosks and Food centres.

Airport Codes: IATA – MLE and ICAO – VRMM

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2. Hanimaadhoo International Airport

Hanimadhoo Airport

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Also managed by Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL), this airport is less crowded. Situated in Hanimaadhoo Island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, the Maldives International Airport has a single runway for both domestic and international flights. Only Maldivian airlines operated here, connecting Trivandrum, India and other Island hopping in Maldives. The airport is quite minimalistic and is about 45 minutes away from the capital. It also provides facilities like outdoor parks for children, parking and internet kiosks.

Airport Codes: IATA – HAQ and ICAO – VRMH

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3. Gan International Airport

Gan International Airport

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Smaller than Hulhule Airport, this airport lies in Gan Island, Addu Atoll. It was first started by the Royal Navy and was then transferred to Addu International Airport Pvt limited. It has two terminals- one for both international and domestic flights and other for Shangri-La’s Resort and Spa guests. Flyme and Maldivian airlines are domestic airlines while SriLankan is the only Cheap International Flights which operate there. Taxis and speedboats are there for easy transportation. Souvenir shops, cafes and prayers room are there for the boarders.

Airport Codes: IATA – GAN and ICAO – VRMG

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4. Villa International Airport

Villa International Airport

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A small airport situated in Maamigili Island in Alif Dhaalu Atoll. It was started by Qasim Ibrahim of Villa Group. The airport has a single terminal used by both Flyme Airlines and Chartered Seaplanes. Ferry boats are used to travel to Male Island, which is 108 kilometres away. It is within the range of their flagship resorts.

Airport Codes: IATA – VAM and ICAO – VRMV

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5. Kadhdhoo Airport

Kadhdhoo Airport

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It is the first airport built in the Maldives. Situated in Kadhdhoo Island, Haddhunmathi Atoll, the airport is small and is surrounded by lush greenery. Run by Maldives Airport Corporation, the airport operates Flyme and Maldivian Airlines, connecting other Maldivian islands. The airport is suitable for people who do not like overcrowded places.

Airport Codes: IATA – KDO and ICAO – VRMK

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6. Dharavandhoo Airport

Dharanvandhoo Airport

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A primary airport in Dharavandhoo Island, Baa Atoll which was opened by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan in 2012. FlyMe and Maldivian Airlines operates there connecting seven major cities like Male, Ifuru, Hanimaadhoo Island, Kadhdhoo and Dharavandhoo. Necessary facilities like wifi and toilets are present. Shuttle services are provided which help to go back and forth to the resorts and hotels.

Airport Codes: IATA – DRV and ICAO – VRMD

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7. Ifuru Airport

Ifuru Airport

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This airport is about 177 kilometres away from the capital, Male. Started by Coastline Investments and now operated by Island Aviation Services, this airport provides standard facilities. Maldivian airlines operate here and connect four significant islands, Dharavandhoo, Kadhdhoo, Hanimaadhoo and Male.

Airport Codes: IATA – IFU and ICAO – VREI

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8. Kooddoo Airport

Koodoo Airport

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As described by visitors, it is a calm airport among all airports in Maldives, located in Kooddoo Island, Gaafu Alifu Atoll. It was opened in 2012 by Bonavista Maldives Pvt Ltd and is operated by Island Aviation Services. Maldivian Airlines are operating here connecting Male, Gan and Alifu. The airport provides ATM with self banking services and restaurants. 

Airport Codes: IATA – GKK and ICAO – VRMO

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9. Dhaalu Airport

Dhaalu Airport

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It is the most significant and newest domestic airport in the Maldives. Opened by Reollo Investments Pvt Ltd and now operating by Dhaalu Airport Holding, it is one of the well-organized airport. Situated in Kudahuvadhoo Island, the airport is relatively new and provides a fantastic view of sunsets. Maldivian Airlines operates here connecting Male, Kadhdhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan. The airport has VIP lounges, shopping stores and food centres for the passengers.

Airport Codes: IATA – DDD and ICAO – VRMU

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10. Fuvahmulah Airport

Fuvamulah Harbour

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It is a small and convenient airport situated about 500 kilometres away from Male, in Fuvahmulah Island in Gnaviyani atoll. It was opened in 2011 by Government of Maldives. The airport provides necessary facilities like free wifi and food centres. Maldivian and Flyme airlines operate here connecting Gan and Male. Sometimes the flights are cancelled due to lack of passengers.

Airport Codes: IATA – FVM and ICAO – VRMR

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11. Kaadedhdhoo Airport

Kadhedhoo Airport

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Started in 1993, this airport is located in Kaadedhdhoo Island, Huvadhu Atoll. It is operated by Maldives Airport Corporation. The island is unhabituated thus speedboats are present to travel to resorts and guest houses in nearby islands. Maldivian Airlines here connect Male, Gan and Kadhdhoo Island. Ideal for people who prefer non-crowded spaces. The airport has necessary facilities like washrooms and food centres.

Airport Codes: IATA – KDM and ICAO – VRMT

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12. Thimarafushi Airport

Thimarafunshi

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This domestic airport is located in Thimarafushi Island in Thaa Atoll. About 244 kilometres away from Male, the only flights that take off from here go to Male only. The airport was started by Maldives Transport and Contracting Company in 2013 and is now being operated by Island Aviation Services.

Airport Codes: IATA – TMF and ICAO – VRNT

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13. Kulhudhuffushi Airport

Travelers at the airport

Kulhudhuffushi Airport  among all airports in Maldives, is an airport situated at the Island Kulhudhuffushi in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives. The airport opened on the month of August 9, 2019. The airport is located at an altitude of 1 metre which is exactly 3 ft 3 inch above the sea level. 

Airport Code: HDK

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14. Maafaru International Airport

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Newly established, this airport located at Noonu Atoll, was officially opened its doors in the month of August, 2018. The 2.2 kilometre runway of Maafaru Airport is well capable of accommodating all the biggest planes, the Boeing 73 and the A320. Also, this airport is well-designed enough to be a part of the Abu Dhabi project which is an ultra-luxury tourism zone. Passenger terminal, a city hotel and the jet parking facility have also developed in the middle of the airport. The northern part of the atoll is considered as a home to the high-end resorts like Velaa Private Island, Soneva Jani, Sun Siyam Irufushi and Cheval Blanc Randheli.

Airport Code: NMF

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International Airports in Maldives provide the facility of tourist visas for Indian visitors on arrival by immigration officers. The procedure is relatively simple to follow and is hassle-free. These airports have made all the commute process to this country as easy as possible. Now when you will be traveling to Maldives, the transfer and departure will be easier at these airports.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Airports In Maldives

Which airport do you arrive in the Maldives?

Velana International Airport is preferred by visitors. It is about 2 kilometres away from the capital, Male.

Which is the main airport of the Maldives?

Velana International Airport (also called Male International Airport) is the leading international airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhule Island, near the capital island Male. Male airport is the primary gateway into the Maldives islands for tourists as it operates leading airlines and connects major cities.

How do I get from Male Airport to the Maldives?

Ferry rides are available near the airports.

How many airports are there in the Maldives?

There are 12 airports out of which four are international and remaining are domestic.

Which airlines fly to the Maldives?

Major airlines like AirAsia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Jet Airways are operated at international airports of the Maldives.

What is the name of the largest airport in the Maldives?

Male International Airport is known as the main airport in the Maldives. Situated on Hulhule Island in the North Male Atoll, Male Airport is the main gateway in the Maldives for the visitors.

How many airports are there in the Maldives?

Four International Airports, one large, one smaller, eight domestic airports are there in the Maldives.

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