Velana International Airport
Malé, Maldives
Velana International Airport
Gateway to the Maldives, rising from the Indian Ocean.
- ›The airport's seaplane terminal is one of the busiest in the world, serving remote resort islands across the Maldivian atolls.
- ›It was renamed Velana International Airport in 2017, honoring Maldivian national hero Hussain Adam (Velana).
- ›The airport is located on Hulhulé Island, entirely separate from Malé, requiring a water crossing or road bridge to access.
- ›A major runway extension completed around 2018 allows the airport to handle larger aircraft including the Airbus A380.
- ›The Sinamalé Bridge (China–Maldives Friendship Bridge), opened in 2018, connects Hulhulé to Hulhumalé and indirectly to Malé by road.
Velana International Airport, formerly known as Malé International Airport, sits on Hulhulé Island just a short boat ride from the Maldivian capital of Malé. It serves as the primary international gateway to the Maldives, handling millions of visitors annually who arrive seeking the archipelago's legendary atolls and overwater bungalows. The airport has undergone significant modernization in recent years, with a new passenger terminal and expanded seaplane facilities reflecting the country's booming tourism economy.
- International Terminal — The main gateway for international arrivals and departures, featuring modern retail, dining, and immigration facilities.
- Domestic Terminal — Handles inter-island domestic flights connecting Malé to regional atolls across the Maldives.
- Seaplane Terminal (TMA) — One of the world's busiest seaplane bases, connecting resort islands across the atolls via Trans Maldivian Airways and other operators.
- Ferry service to Malé city (approximately 10 minutes, operates frequently)
- Speedboat transfers to nearby resorts arranged by hotels
- Taxi service available on the island of Hulhulé near the terminal
- Airport shuttle buses within the airport complex
- Seaplane connections to remote resort islands across the atolls
- Hulhulé Island Hotel (on-airport island)
- Hotel Jen Malé by Shangri-La
- Traders Hotel Malé
- Champa Central Hotel
- Crown Beach Hotel Malé
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a range of cafés, fast-food outlets, and restaurants offering both Maldivian cuisine and international fare, with options available both pre- and post-security. The Hulhulé Island Hotel nearby offers a more relaxed dining experience for travellers with longer layovers. Local Maldivian staples such as tuna-based dishes, short eats, and fresh juices are available at several outlets throughout the airport.
- Book your seaplane transfer well in advance, especially during peak season — seats fill up quickly and schedules are fixed.
- Seaplanes only fly in daylight hours, so plan your international arrival accordingly to avoid missing a connection.
- The ferry to Malé city is the cheapest and quickest way to reach the capital, running around the clock.
- Alcohol is not available in Malé city but is served at resort islands — the airport duty-free is your last chance to purchase before heading to dry zones.
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Velana International Airport (VIA), also known as Malé-Velana International Airport is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhulé Island in Kaafu Atoll, nearby the capital island Malé. The airport is well connected with major airports around the world, mostly serving as the main gateway into the Maldives for tourists. It is managed financially and administratively by a state owned company known as Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
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