List of Domestic & International Airports in Maldives: A Complete Guide!
As the most geographically dispersed country on the planet, the Maldives is a masterpiece of nature. Comprising 1,192 coral islands spread across roughly 90,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean, navigating this tropical paradise is an adventure in itself.
The multi-billion dollar tourism industry relies heavily on its robust domestic transport infrastructure. Millions of global travelers fly in every year to experience the worldâs most luxurious overwater resorts, liveaboards, and local guesthouses. Whether you are aiming for a northern sanctuary or a southern diving hotspot, your journey begins at one of the country’s international or domestic airports.
Here is your definitive, up-to-date guide to the airports keeping the Maldives seamlessly connected.
đĄ Insider Money-Saving Travel Tip
Planning a budget trip to the Maldives?
Do not rush to book your domestic air tickets independently on commercial airline websites (like Maldivian, Manta Air, or Villa Air). Instead, contact the staff of the guesthouse or resort where you are staying. Local properties maintain corporate agreements with domestic carriers and can typically book your local flight transfers for up to 50% cheaper than public online rates.
âïž International Airports in the Maldives
These primary gateways welcome long-haul commercial flights, charter aircraft, and private jets from all over the world.
1. Velana International Airport (MLE)
- Location: Hulhulé Island (North Malé Atoll)
- Best For: Universal gateway to all Maldivian resorts.
- The Details: Better known simply as Malé International Airport, Velana International Airport (VIA) is the main air gate of the Maldives. Situated on its own bespoke island, it sits just a 10-minute ferry ride or a quick drive across the Sinamalé Bridge from the capital city, Malé. It serves as the primary hub for international airlines and the sprawling seaplane networks.
2. Gan International Airport (GAN)
- Location: Gan Island (Addu Atoll)
- Best For: Accessing the southern atolls and luxury private jet travelers.
- The Details: Serving as the main gateway to the Southern Maldives, Gan International Airport is a favorite for private aviation. Major infrastructure redevelopments have scaled its terminal capacity to cater to 1.5 million passengers annually, introducing state-of-the-art dining, shopping, and duty-free lounges. Scheduled flights are primarily operated by SriLankan Airlines and the national carrier, Maldivian.
3. Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ)
- Location: Hanimaadhoo Island (Haa Dhaalu Atoll)
- Best For: Northernmost regions, Haa Alifu, and Haa Dhaalu Atolls.
- The Details: Geographically positioned in the northern Thiladhummathi Atoll, Hanimaadhoo has accepted international routes (specifically from Trivandrum, India) for over a decade. Major expansions feature extended runways capable of processing large, long-haul commercial aircraft and a highly modernized passenger terminal.
4. Maafaru International Airport (NMF)
- Location: Maafaru Island (Noonu Atoll)
- Best For: Ultra-luxury resort drop-offs (Soneva Jani, Velaa Private Island, Siyam World).
- The Details: Backed by the Abu Dhabi Fund, Maafaru features a massive 2.8-kilometer runway designed specifically to handle large commercial aircraft and heavy private jetsâsuccessfully processing commercial giants like the Boeing 777. The airport’s terminal expansions feature dedicated VIP zones and premium luxury lounges tailored for high-net-worth travelers headed to the elite Noonu Atoll.
đ« Major Domestic Airports in the Maldives
When your international flight lands, domestic airports bridge the remaining gap across the ocean via scheduled regional turboprop flights.
5. Villa International Airport (VAM)
- Location: Maamigili Island (South Ari Atoll)
- Key Nearby Spots: Lily Beach Resort, Conrad Maldives Rangali, Sun Island.
- The Details: Conceptualized by Maldivian magnate Ibrahim Qasim to boost local infrastructure, Maamigili Airport is operated by the Villa Group. It serves as a vital base for Villa Air (Flyme). South Ari Atoll is affectionately known as “Whale Shark Island,” making this airport a critical hub for marine conservationists and budget holidaymakers looking for local guesthouses.
6. Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV)
- Location: Dharavandhoo Island (Baa Atoll)
- Key Nearby Spots: Hanifaru Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- The Details: Dharavandhoo features a 1,200-meter runway that connects travelers straight to the heart of the Maldives’ only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. World-renowned dive sites like Dharavandhoo Thila and Hanifaru Bay attract crowds eager to swim with manta rays and whale sharks. From the airport, speedboats transport tourists to nearby high-end resorts or local beachfront guesthouses.
7. Dhaalu Airport (DDD)
- Location: Kudahuvadhoo Island (Dhaalu Atoll)
- Key Nearby Spots: Niyama Private Islands, local Kudahuvadhoo guesthouses.
- The Details: Built entirely on 63 hectares of reclaimed land, Dhaalu Airport is a state-of-the-art facility featuring a 1,800-meter runway capable of accommodating regional workhorses like the Dash-8 and ATR-72, alongside large private jets. Notably, it is the first airport in the Maldives to utilize advanced solar airfield lighting and allows direct international private jet arrivals with 96 hours’ notification.
+--------------------------+---------------------+-------------------+
| Airport Name | Atoll Location | Runway Length |
+--------------------------+---------------------+-------------------+
| Velana International | North Malé Atoll | 3,200 meters |
| Maafaru International | Noonu Atoll | 2,800 meters |
| Dhaalu Airport | Dhaalu Atoll | 1,800 meters |
| Kooddoo Airport | Gaafu Alifu Atoll | 1,800 meters |
| Villa International | South Ari Atoll | 1,800 meters |
+--------------------------+---------------------+-------------------+
8. Fuvahmulah Airport (FVM)
- Location: Fuvahmulah Island (Gnaviyani Atoll)
- Key Nearby Spots: Thundi Pebble Beach.
- The Details: Fuvahmulah is a unique single-island atoll famed for its extraordinary surfing, tiger shark diving, and the famous white pebble Thundi beach. The domestic airport handles regular flights from Malé and Gan, providing budget-conscious adventure travelers a direct gateway to its booming guesthouse sector.
9. Kooddoo Airport (GKK)
- Location: Kooddoo Island (Gaafu Alifu Atoll)
- Key Nearby Spots: Pullman Maldives Maamutaa, The Residence Maldives, Amari Havodda.
- The Details: Upgraded with a reinforced ,1800-meter runway, Kooddoo comfortably handles narrow-body commercial airliners (such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737) and luxury private charter aircraft. It features a private harbor and a VIP business lounge to service travelers moving to premium southern resorts.
10. Hoarafushi Airport (HRF)
- Location: Hoarafushi Island (Haa Alif Atoll)
- The Details: Opened to drastically assist northern connectivity, Hoarafushi spares locals and travelers from taking an hour-long, turbulent boat ride across the Gallandhoo Kandu channel to reach Hanimaadhoo. It features a 1,200-meter runway and a modern passenger terminal.
11. Funadhoo Airport (FND)
- Location: Funadhoo Island (Shaviyani Atoll)
- Key Nearby Spots: JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, Fairmont Sirru Fen Fushi.
- The Details: Developed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), this airport unlocks the tourism potential of the Shaviyani Atoll, dropping travelers off just a short, scenic speedboat ride away from premium resort islands.
12. Faresmaathoda Airport
- Location: Faresmaathoda Island (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)
- The Details: Constructed by reclaiming 19.9 hectares of land across smaller forest islets, this modern domestic airport stands out due to its iconic, state-of-the-art heart-shaped passenger terminal. The architectural design beautifully reflects the regional fishing heritage.
Other Crucial Domestic Airfields:
- Ifuru Airport (IFU) [Raa Atoll]: Features a 1,200-meter runway connecting Maldivian flights seamlessly to Dharavandhoo and Malé.
- Kaadedhdhoo Airport (KDM) [Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll]: Positioned 340 kilometers south of Malé, serving the South Huvadhu Atoll footprint since 1993.
- Kadhdhoo Airport (KDO) [Laamu Atoll]: Positioned dynamically halfway between Malé and Gan, acting as a crucial boundary airport for central-southern travel.
- Thimarafushi Airport (TMF) [Thaa Atoll]: Built to serve an atoll population spanning 67 islands, providing vital daily links to the capital.
đ„ïž Choosing Your Transfer: Seaplane vs. Domestic Flight
When traveling to your final resort destination, you will generally choose between a Seaplane or a Domestic Flight + Speedboat combo.
- Seaplanes: Operate exclusively during daylight hours (typically 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM). They fly at a lower altitude, offering unparalleled aerial views of the atolls, but have stricter baggage limits.
- Domestic Flights: Fly day and night. If your international flight lands in Malé after dark, a domestic wheel-based aircraft is your best option to reach outer atolls without waiting for morning.
