Your Guide to Airports in Maldives: Easy Island Getaways

Maldives is a popular honeymoon destination, with its pristine beaches, coral reefs, and turquoise waters. While exploring Maldives travel packages, it’s important to know about the best airports in Maldives to ensure a seamless travel experience. These airports serve as gateways to visitors from around the world to the tropical paradise. 

Find the list of airports in Maldives both domestic and international, that you need to know before planning your vacation. Also, know the popular restaurants and best hotels near Maldives airports.

Overview of Top Airports In Maldives

1. Velana International Airport 

Velana International Airport is the main, busiest, and one of the international airports in Maldives. It’s also known as Male International Airport or Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. It is located on Hulhule Island in the North Male Atoll, near the capital island Male, one of the best places to visit in the Maldives. This airport connects Maldives to many different countries around the world. The airport is currently managed by the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). It serves as the base for two airlines: Trans Maldivian Airways, which operates seaplanes, and Maldivian, the national airline of Maldives.

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: MLE
• Address: Airport Main Rd, 22000, Maldives
• Category: International

Popular Hotels Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Hulhule Island Hotel
• Samann Host
• Amber beach
• Hotel Ocean Grand at Hulhumale
• Seasalter Maldives

Best Restaurants Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Red Snapper and Coffee Beans Reserve
• Thila
• Cloud Signature
• Family Room Coffee
• Belle Amie Bistro

2. Gan International Airport 

Gan International Airport is one of the important airports in Maldives, located on Gan Island in the Addu Atoll. Originally established by the Royal Navy, it’s now operated by Addu International Pvt. Ltd. It is one of the important airports in Maldives and has two terminals – one for domestic and international flights, and another for guests of Shangri-La’s Resort and Spa.

Those visiting Gan Island should explore the beautiful Gan Beach, known for its seclusion and natural beauty.

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: ATM
• Address: Building No 100 Airport Main Road Addu City Gan, 19070, Maldives
• Category: International

Popular Hotels Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Equator Village Maldives
• Wave Sound by 3S Maldives
• Equatorial Divers Lodge
• Canareef Resort Maldives

Best Restaurants Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Q Corner
• Javvu Restaurant
• Fashala Restaurant
• Palm Village
• 3S lounge

3. Hanimaadhoo International Airport 

Hanimaadhoo International Airport is one of the international airports in Maldives, managed by the Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL). Initially, it was only serving domestic flights but upgraded to an international airport in 2012. The airport has a single runway that handles both domestic and international flights. Located on Hanimaadhoo Island in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll, this less crowded airport is about 45 minutes away from the capital. 

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: HMD
• Address: Hanimaadhoo, Maldives
• Category: International

Popular Hotels Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Hondaafushi Island Resort
• Himeyn Beach Maldives
• Ocean Voice Beach Home & Diving Resort
• Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Best Restaurants Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Chill Time
• Nana’s Kitchen
• Chill Garden
• Youth Cafe
• Simmer Ever Restaurant

Suggested Read: 10 Best Things To Do In Maldives

4. Villa International Airport 

Villa International Airport is small and one of the international airports in Maldives located on Maamigili Island in the Alif Dhaalu Atoll. Proposed by Qasim Ibrahim, it’s managed by the Villa Group and opened in 2011, gaining international status in 2013. The airport has one terminal and runway, served by Flyme Airlines and chartered seaplanes.

The airport has a single terminal and runway and has ferry boats for passengers to easily travel to Male.

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: VAM
• Address: Maamigili, Maldives
• Category: International

Popular Hotels Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Villa Park, Maldives
• LUX* SOUTH ARI ATOLL

Best Restaurants Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Green Park Cafe
• Beach Fresh Restaurant
• Maaniya Restaurant
• Hermit’s Restaurant

5. Maafaru International Airport

Maafaru Airport is one of the most convenient airports in Maldives for luxury travellers. Maafaru International Airport is a newly established airport in Maldives, that opened in August 2018. The runway of this airport is quite spacious to accommodate the biggest aeroplanes.

It features a passenger terminal, a city hotel, and jet parking facilities within the airport premises. The northern part of the atoll is considered home to high-end resorts like Velaa Private Island, Soneva Jani, etc.

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: NMF
• Address: Maafaru, Maldives
• Category: International

Popular Hotels Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Noku, Maldives
• Soneva Jani
• Movenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives

Best Restaurants Near Maldives Airports Category:

•  White Orchid Restaurant
• Andiamo Bistro And Pool
• Ocean Grill
• The Cellar

6. Dharavandhoo Airport

Located in the famous Dharavandhoo island, Maldives, Dharavandhoo Airport is one of the domestic Maldives airports opened in 2012. Some of the popular destinations to which this airport offers flights are Male, Ifuru, and Hanimaadhoo. This domestic airport is also equipped with shuttle services to ensure hassle-free transfers.

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: DRV
• Address: Dharavandhoo, Maldives
• Category: Domestic

Popular Hotels Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Dusit Thani Maldives
• Milaidhoo Maldives
• Royal Island Resort & Spa
• Soneva Fushi
• Amilla Maldives

Best Restaurants Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Zen Wok Dharavandhoo
• Zen Fusion
• Loamaafaanu Restaurant

7. Kaadedhdhoo Airport 

Kaadedhdhoo Airport started in 1993, is located on the scenic Kaadedhdhoo Island in the Huvadhu Atoll. Managed by the Maldives Airport Corporation, this airport offers a perfect getaway for travellers seeking the ethereal beauty of Kaadedhdhoo Island. The airport only has domestic flights, served by Maldivian Airlines, connecting to destinations like Malé, Gan, and Kadhdhoo Island itself.

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: KDM
• Address: Kaadedhdhoo, Madaveli, Maldives
• Category: Domestic

Popular Hotels Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Umet Stay
• NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort

Best Restaurants Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Dinnermite
• Belle vie
• Zimmerman restaurant

Suggested Read: Best resorts in Maldives

8. Thimarafushi Airport 

Thimarafushi Airport is one of the domestic Maldives airports serving the Thaa Atoll region in Maldives. It was constructed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company. This airport opened for public use in 2013 and was inaugurated by the then President, Mohamed Waheed Hassan. 

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: TMF
• Address:  Thimarafushi, Maldives
• Category: Domestic

Popular Hotel Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Veyo Retreat

Best Restaurant Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Madi Restaurant

9. Fuvahmulah Airport 

Located around 500 km away from the capital city of Malé, Fuvahmulah Airport serves the Fuvahmulah region of Maldives. It is one of the domestic airports in Maldives that was a recent addition opened in 2011. This airport has tourist traffic compared to other airports in the country.

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: FVM
• Address:  Naibu Thuththu Hingun, Fuvahmulah, Maldives
• Category: Domestic

Popular Hotels Near Maldives Airports Category:

•  Wanderlust Fuvahmulah
• Fuvahmulah Scuba Club
•  Fuvahmulah Central Hotel
• Suffix Retreat
• Sameydhaan Inn Fuvahmulah

Best Restaurants Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Cafe’ Eden
• Real Breeze
• Pebbles by Royal
• Moodige

10. Ifuru Airport

Located 177 kilometres away from the capital, Malé, this is one of the domestic airports in Maldives was initially started by Coastline Investments and is now operated by Island Aviation Services. It offers standard facilities for travellers. Maldivian Airlines operates flights from this airport, connecting it to four major islands: Dharavandhoo, Kadhdhoo, Hanimaadhoo, and Malé.

Airport Quick Facts

• Airport code: IFU
• Address: Ifuru Domestic Airport, Maldives
• Category: Domestic

Popular Hotels Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa
• You & Me Maldives
• Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa
• Cora Cora Maldives
•  JOALI Maldives

Best Restaurants Near Maldives Airports Category:

• Saoke
• Bellini

Suggested Read: Lakshadweep Vs Maldives: Which One Would You Pick?

Famous Places to Visit Near Maldives Airports

All these airports in Maldives will make your travel experience very convenient. Although, there are numerous famous places to visit near Maldives airports. A few of them include the Grand Friday Mosque, Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque, Sultan Park, and Sinamale Bridge at Velana International Airport, where Gan International Airport has famous attractions like Addu Nature Park to name a few. 

Indian visitors can get a tourist visa on arrival at international airports in Maldives. The process is hassle-free and will be a smooth experience.

Conclusion

The airports in Maldives offer numerous options to suit travellers’ needs, whether flying internationally or domestically between the islands. Velana International Airport is the main gateway, connecting the Maldives to countries around the world. Other major international airports include Gan, Hanimaadhoo, Villa, and the new Maafaru Airport. 

There are also several domestic airports scattered across the atolls, providing access to more remote island destinations like Dharavandhoo, Kaadedhdhoo, Thimarafushi, Fuvahmulah, and Ifuru. No matter which airport you fly into, the Maldives offers easy transportation to world-class resorts and pristine beaches. The hardest part is deciding which breathtaking Maldivian island to visit first!

Frequently Asked Questions