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Gateway to the Maldives, rising from the Indian Ocean.
Opened
1966
Location
Malé, Maldives
Velana International Airport, formerly known as Malé International Airport, is the primary international gateway to the Republic of Maldives. Located on Hulhulé Island adjacent to the capital Malé, it serves millions of tourists and residents traveling to the country's renowned atolls and resort islands each year.
The airport underwent significant expansion and modernization in the 2010s and 2020s, including a new passenger terminal, expanded apron, and a seaplane terminal that is among the busiest in the world. These upgrades were designed to accommodate growing tourist demand and larger wide-body aircraft.
Because Malé sits on a separate island from the airport, travelers must cross the water by ferry or speedboat to reach the capital, while resort guests typically connect via domestic flights, speedboats, or seaplanes to their final destinations across the archipelago.
Terminals
The airport features a main international passenger terminal and a dedicated seaplane terminal, with a domestic terminal handling inter-atoll flights.
Getting to & from
Passengers travel between the airport and Malé city via a short ferry or speedboat crossing, as the airport occupies its own island; a road link via the China–Maldives Friendship Bridge connects to Hulhumalé.
Airlines here
Major carriers operating here include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, IndiGo, Sri Lankan Airlines, and the national carrier Maldivian.
Notable facts
- ›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.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
