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.

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.

1. Velana International Airport (MLE), Malé Atoll

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.

• Address: Airport Main Rd, 22000, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMM
• IATA Code: MLE
• Category: International
• Terminals: There are 3 runways in this airport:
  • Domestic Terminal
  • International Terminal
  • Waterdrome Seaplane Terminal
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Immigration and Customs
  • Currency Exchange
  • Dining Lounge and Cafeteria
  • Executive and Passenger Lounges
  • Travel Retail
  • Prayer Room
  • Mother’s Room
  • Mobile Charging Stations

2. Gan International Airport (GAN), Haa Dhaalu Atoll

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.

• Address: Building No 100 Airport Main Road Addu City Gan, 19070, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMG
• IATA Code: GAN
• Category: International
• Terminals: There are 2 passenger terminals, for domestic and international passengers.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Immigration and Customs 
  • Aircraft Services
  • Dining Lounge
  • Medical Chamber
  • Prayer Room
  • Souvenir Shops
  • Cafeteria

3. Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ), Haa Dhaalu Atoll

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.

• Address: P5W9+XGH, Hanimaadhoo, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMH
• IATA Code: HAQ
• Category: International
• Terminals: The airport has one passenger terminal operating domestic and international flights.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Tourist Guide
  • Prayer Room
  • Medical Room
  • Spa Lounge
  • Outdoor Play Area

4. Maafaru International Airport (NMF), Noonu Atoll

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.

• Address: RFGG+7HF, Unnamed Road, Maafaru, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRDA
• IATA Code: NMF
• Category: International
• Terminals: It has one passenger terminal and a runway.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Customs and Immigration
  • VIP Lounge

5. Villa International Airport (VAM), Alif Dhaal Atoll

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.

• Address: FRFQ+859, Maamigili, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMV
• IATA Code: VAM 
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: There is a single terminal at this airport.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Prayer Room
  • Dining Lounge

6. Kadhdhoo Airport (KDO), Laamu Atoll

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.

• Address: VG59+3F Fonadhoo, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMK
• IATA Code: KDO
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: It has a passenger terminal with several amenities and retail outlets.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Cargo Handling 
  • Storing/Warehousing
  • Outdoor Play Area
  • Prayer Room
  • Dining Lounge
  • Staycation Rooms

7. Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV), Baa Atoll

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.

• Address: 544M+4W Dharavandhoo, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMD
• IATA Code: DRV
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: It has a small terminal and a runway.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Storage Facilities
  • Mobile Charging Stations
  • Resting Lounge

8. Ifuru Airport (IFU), Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll

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.

• Address: P24F+RJ Ungoofaaru, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VREI
• IATA Code: IFU
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: NA
• Services & Amenities Available:  NA

9. Kooddoo Airport (GKK), Gaafu Alifu Atoll

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.

• Address: PCMM+PJH, Viligili, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMO
• IATA Code: GKK
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: NA
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Lost and Found Facility
  • Storage Facility
  • Food Court
  • Gift Shops

10. Dhaalu Airport (DDD), Dhaalu Atoll

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.

• Address: MV8V+W6 Kudahuvadhoo, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMU
• IATA Code: DDD
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: The airport premise includes one service-oriented terminal building.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Pick-up/Drop-off Facility
  • Skydiving
  • Luxurious VIP Lounge
  • Restaurants and Cafeterias

11. Fuvahmulah Airport (FVM), Gnaviyani Atoll

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.

• Address: MCRP+795, Naibu Thuthu Hingun, Fuvahmulah, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMR
• IATA Code: FVM
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: Although small, the airport has four terminals.
• Services & Amenities Available: Food Court

12. Kaadedhdhoo Airport (KDM), Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll

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.

• Address: FXQV+RX8, Kaadedhdhoo, Madaveli, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRMT
• IATA Code: KDM
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: NA
• Services & Amenities Available: Food Court

13. Thimarafushi Airport (TMF), Thaa Atoll

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.

• Address: 6563+C5 Thimarafushi, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRNT
• IATA Code: TMF
• Category: Domestic 
• Terminals: NA
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Services
  • Restaurants
  • Car Rental Services

14. Kulhudhuffushi Airport (HDK), Haa Dhaalu Atoll

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.

• Address: J3HC+P8P, Marine Dr, Kulhudhuffushi, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRBK
• IATA Code: HDK 
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: The airport has a single terminal building that can hold up to 200 passengers.
• Services & Amenities Available:
  • Duty-free Shopping
  • Restaurants and Cafeterias

15. Funadhoo Airport (FND), Shaviyani Atoll

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.

• Address: 575P+2PH, Funadhoo, Maldives
• ICAO Code: VRCF
• IATA Code: FND
• Category: Domestic
• Terminals: Although under construction, there is one terminal building inside this airport.
• Services & Amenities Available:  NA