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Lying southwest of India, Maldives is an independent nation of coral islands situated in the Indian Ocean. Popularly known for its exotic beaches and stunning landscapes, Maldives has become a popular holiday destination attracting over a million tourists annually.
The airports in Maldives play a crucial role in linking several tourists from the rest of the world to the island. Navigate through this article to find a complete guide on the major airports located in this nation.
Velana International Airport (MLE), Malé Atoll
Gan International Airport (GAN), Haa Dhaalu Atoll
Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ), Haa Dhaalu Atoll
Maafaru International Airport (NMF), Noonu Atoll
Villa International Airport (VAM), Alif Dhaal Atoll
Kadhdhoo Airport (KDO), Laamu Atoll
Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV), Baa Atoll
Ifuru Airport (IFU), Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll
Kooddoo Airport (GKK), Gaafu Alifu Atoll
Dhaalu Airport (DDD), Dhaalu Atoll
Fuvahmulah Airport (FVM), Gnaviyani Atoll
Kaadedhdhoo Airport (KDM), Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll
Thimarafushi Airport (TMF), Thaa Atoll
Kulhudhuffushi Airport (HDK), Haa Dhaalu Atoll
Funadhoo Airport (FND), Shaviyani Atoll
Name of the Airport & Location |
Type |
Velana International Airport, Malé Atoll |
International Airport |
Gan International Airport, Haa Dhaalu Atoll |
International Airport |
Hanimaadhoo International Airport, Haa Dhaalu Atoll |
International Airport |
Maafaru International Airport, Noonu Atoll |
International Airport |
Villa International Airport, Alif Dhaal Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Kadhdhoo Airport, Laamu Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Dharavandhoo Airport, Baa Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Ifuru Airport, Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Kooddoo Airport, Gaafu Alifu Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Dhaalu Airport, Dhaalu Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Fuvahmulah Airport, Gnaviyani Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Kaadedhdhoo Airport, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Thimarafushi Airport, Thaa Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Kulhudhuffushi Airport, Haa Dhaalu Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Funadhoo Airport, Shaviyani Atoll |
Domestic Airport |
Note: The services and other factors keep changing frequently. So, please verify all information before planning your trip.
Here is a list of 15 best-in-class airports in Maldives with details of their designation and special features that it offers.
Velana International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the Maldives, inaugurated in 1981. It is located within a distance of half a mile from Malé, the capital city of the island nation. Popularly known as Malé Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Maldives airport’s name comes from the name of the 2nd president of the country.
Built in the 1950s, Gan International Airport is another famous international airport in the Maldives. This airport served as a military airbase during the Second World War. It is situated 544 kilometres south of Malé, on Gan Island. Besides handling high passenger traffic and jet landings, this international airport also serves aircraft operations.
Originally designated as a domestic airport, Hanimaadhoo International Airport is now one of the few international airports operating in the Maldives. Unlike other popular airports, it handles lesser passenger traffic and has a single runway for domestic and international flights. This airport started its operations in 1986 and is located 2 kilometres away from the centre of Malé.
Maafaru International Airport is the 4th largest international airport, located about 180 kilometres away from the capital city. It is also one of the newly-established airports in the Maldives, starting its operation in 2019. It also has the capacity to ensure the landing of large aircraft and accommodate up to 6 private jets simultaneously.
About 108 kilometres away from the city, near the harbour of the Island of Maamigili lies Villa International Airport, commonly known as Villa-Maamigili Airport. This airport was established in 2011. Once designated as an international airport, it has a domestic status now.
Built in the late 1980s, Kadhdhoo Airport is the oldest domestic airport in Maldives. This airport lies within a distance of 259 kilometres from the capital city, close to two international airports of Maldives, Gan and Malé. It is a small airport with one runway of bituminous surface and accommodates only short take-off and landing aircraft.
Another addition to the list of airports in the Maldives is Dharavandhoo Airport. It is the primary airport serving the Baa Atoll region. Situated about 115 kilometres northwest of Malé, this airport was inaugurated by the 5th President of Maldives in 2012. This airport handles domestic flight operations and provides some basic amenities to the passengers.
About 177 kilometres away from the capital Island Malé lies the Ifuru Airport. Surrounded by a chain of circular reefs, it is an operational public airport of the Maldives which primarily caters to island-hopping flights and turboprop aircraft operations. Established in 2015, the airport offers scheduled flights connecting all the regions within Raa Atoll, Noonu Atoll and Malé.
Kooddoo Airport is another domestic airport in the Maldives which was inaugurated by Mohamed Waheed Hassan, the 5th President of the country. Situated approximately 384 kilometres south of Malé, this airport started offering regional flights from the year 2012. It is owned by a private company called Bonavista (Maldives) Pvt. Ltd.
Operational since 2017, Dhaalu Airport is one of the significant airports established in the Maldives. It is the first airport in the island nation to use solar airfield lighting for its operations. Encompassing an area of 63 hectares on Kudahuvadhoo Island, this airport is situated about 180 kilometres away from the main city.
Fuvahmulah Airport is one of the domestic airports in the Maldives, situated on the faraway island of Fuvahmulah, which is about 500 kilometres from Malé. This airport is relatively smaller than the other airports and can accommodate a couple of passengers at a time. Built in 2011, it is also one of the newest airports established in the island nation.
Inaugurated by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1993, this domestic airport is situated 340 kilometres south of Thinadhoo. Kaadedhdhoo Airport lies in the middle of the uninhabited Island of Kaadedhdhoo. It serves the surroundings of Huvadhu Atoll and is easily accessible via taxis and speedboats.
Another small domestic airport of Maldives lies 224 kilometres southwest of Malé, on the Island of Thimarafushi. It is also one of the newly established airports in Maldives which was inaugurated by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan in 2013. This public airport serves the Thaa Atoll division of Maldives.
Kulhudhuffushi Airport is the newest domestic airport in the Maldives, functional since 2019. Built at an elevation of 1 metre above sea level, this airport serves the Northern Maldive Atolls. The airport has an asphalt-based runway surface. It primarily offers aircraft maintenance and fuel-supplying services.
Another newly-built airport in Maldives is the Funadhoo Airport serving the regions in Shaviyani Atoll and handling flight operations since the year 2020. Elevated 6 feet above sea level, the premises of the airport lies within a distance 222 kilometres from Malé. In addition, it has a wide airport apron space, a fire building and a fire pond.