Maldives Airport Guide
Want to know about airports in the Maldives? With international and domestic options spread across the atolls, it can be rather confusing. We’ve put together vital information about how many airports in the Maldives there are, where they are, and what connections are available at each one.
Check our complete Maldives airport guide below.
What are the main airports in the Maldives?
There are three international airports in the Maldives and many domestic airports. The main entry point is Velana International Airport in Malé, where most international flights arrive. After landing, travellers continue on to their island resort or guesthouse by domestic flight, seaplane, or ferry, depending on the destination.
All seaplanes depart from the dedicated Noovilu Seaplane Terminal at Velana, making this one of the most unique travel experiences in the world.
Ferries also operate within atolls and between some atolls. MTCC’s Raajje Transport Link (RTL) divides the Maldives into six ferry zones, with zones 1, 2, 5 and 6 currently active and zone 4 launching soon.
- Zone 1: Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani atolls
- Zone 2: Noonu, Raa, and Baa atolls
- Zone 3: Kaafu, Alifu Alifu, Alifu Dhaalu, and Vaavu atolls
- Zone 4: Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu, Thaa, and Laamu atolls
- Zone 5: Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls
- Zone 6: Seenu (Addu Atoll) and Gnaviyani (Fuvahmulah)
From Malé’s Villingili Ferry Terminal, ferries run to islands in North Malé Atoll (Kaafu) and nearby atolls such as Ari, Vaavu, and Faafu. Larger hubs like Gan (Addu Atoll) and Kulhudhuffushi (Haa Dhaalu Atoll) also serve as ferry points for their surrounding islands.
Speedboat transfers are usually arranged by resorts and often depart just minutes after you step off the plane.
Here’s our guide to all the airports in the Maldives and what to expect when you land.
Velana International Airport
The principal Maldives airport, Velana International, is located on Hulhulé Island in North Malé Atoll. Recently expanded to cater to up to 7.5 million passengers by 2030, it has three terminals: International, Domestic, and Seaplane. The Noovilu Seaplane Terminal is the hub for Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), Manta Air, and Maldivian, handling around 100 seaplanes. Guests are transferred here by a 10-minute shuttle bus.
TMA serves around 79 resort destinations across most atolls, within a 20- to 80-minute flight time. However, seaplanes do not reach the far southern atolls, such as North and South Huvadhu, Gnaviyani, or Addu.
As the only airport in the country offering international flights, Velana is the gateway to the Maldives. From here, travellers can continue their journey nationwide by seaplane, domestic flights, or by ferry/boat links to Malé and Hulhumalé via RTL services operated by MTCC.
Gan International Airport
The second of the airports in the Maldives is Gan International, which is located on Gan Island in Seenu Atoll. Gan International Airport is the country’s southern hub. It has a single terminal serving both domestic and international flights, with seasonal direct routes from Colombo. Domestic flights are to Malé, Kadhdhoo, and Kooddoo.
Feydhoo Ferry Terminal, reached by a 10-15 minute taxi ride from the airport, offers ferries to other islands in Addu Atoll. Resorts such as Canareef can also be reached directly by speedboat from the airport.
Airports in the northern atolls
There are seven Maldives airports in the northern atolls.
Hanimaadhoo International Airport
Hanimaadhoo Airport, on Haa Dhaalu Atoll, is the main northern hub and handles some international flights from India. Domestic flights connect Haa Dhaalu, Haa Alifu, and Shaviyani Atolls, with nearby airports at Hoarafushi, Kulhudhuffushi, and Funadhoo serving as additional gateways. Private speedboat transfers are common, while no public ferries operate here.
Maafaru International Airport
Located on Maafaru in Noonu Atoll, this airport has a single terminal handling flights from India alongside domestic services. From here, domestic flights operate to Malé, Hanimaadhoo and Naifaru. Private speedboats and seaplanes provide access to the islands of Noonu Atoll. No public ferries operate.
Hoarafushi Airport
On Haa Alifu Atoll, Hoarafushi Airport has one terminal for domestic flights from Malé and Kulhudhuffushi. It serves as a convenient entry point to northern Maldives, with speedboat transfers connecting guests to nearby islands. Seaplanes travel from here to Baa, Raa and Noonu Atolls.
Kulhudhuffushi Airport
Situated in Kulhudhuffushi City on Haa Dhaalu Atoll, this airport has one terminal and offers domestic flights to northern islands. Onward travel is typically by private speedboat, as public ferries are not available.
Funadhoo
Funadhoo Airport, located in Shaviyani Atoll, has one domestic terminal with seaplane flights to other islands in the atoll and domestic flights to Malé. Public ferries also operate within the atoll, while resorts can arrange private speedboat transfers.
Ifuru Airport
Ifuru Airport in Raa Atoll has one domestic terminal, offering seaplane flights and private speedboat connections to Raa Atoll islands. Domestic flights travel to Malé Atoll and Madivaru in Lhaviyani Atoll. No public ferries operate here.
Madivaru Airport
Madivaru Airport, in Lhaviyani Atoll, has one domestic terminal. Travellers can connect to Baa Atoll, Noonu Atoll, Shaviyani Atolland Raa Atoll by domestic flight. Seaplanes connect to other islands in the same atoll, as do public ferries or private speedboats.
Airports in the central atolls
There are three Maldives airports in the central atolls.
Villa International Airport
Villa International Airport on Maamigili (Alif Dhaal Atoll) has one domestic terminal with flights travelling to Malé, Baa Atoll, Gaafu Alif Atoll and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. It also connects to islands within Alif Dhaal Atoll by domestic flight and private speedboat. Seaplanes connect primarily with islands in the South Ari Atoll. No public ferries are available.
Dhaalu Airport
Located on Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll, this airport offers domestic flights to Malé and Villa International. Private speedboat transfers and seaplanes connect to other islands in Dhaalu Atoll. There are currently no public ferries, though a service is planned for the future.
Thimarafushi Airport
Thimarafushi Airport in Thaa Atoll offers domestic flights to Malé, Fuvahmulah, Kulhudhuffushi, Gaafu Dhaalu, Kadhdhoo and Hanimaadhoo. Seaplanes route to the southern Maldives, and private speedboat transfers cruise to islands within Thaa Atoll. Public ferries are not available, though a new service is planned.
Airports in the southern atolls
Kadhdhoo Airport
Located on Kadhdhoo in Laamu Atoll, this domestic airport has one terminal operating flights to Malé and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. From here, travellers can connect to Laamu Atoll islands via seaplane, public ferry, or private speedboat.
Kooddoo Airport
Kooddoo Airport in Gaafu Alifu Atoll has domestic flights to Malé Atoll and Kaadedhdhoo Island in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Plus, private speedboat transfers to islands in the same atoll. Seaplanes can take you to other southern atolls. Public ferries are not currently available, though future services are planned.
Kaadedhdhoo Airport
Located in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Kaadedhdhoo Airport connects to local islands via domestic flights to Malé Atoll and Kooddoo. Seaplanes link to the southern atolls. The island itself is uninhabited, so passengers transfer by speedboat to Huvadhu Atoll. Public ferries are not currently available, but new services are planned.
Maavarulu Airport
Maavarulu Airport, also in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, provides domestic flights to Malé and Kaadedhdhoo. Private speedboat transfers passengers around the atoll, and seaplanes connect with other southern atolls. Public ferry services are planned, but are not yet in place.
Fuvahmulah Airport
Fuvahmulah Airport, on the single-island atoll of Gnaviyani, has one terminal with domestic flights to Kaadedhdhoo, Kadhdhoo, Gan and Malé. Seaplanes fly to the north and south atolls from here. No public ferries operate.
Maldives airports – find out more
With our comprehensive Maldives airport guide, you’re well-equipped for a holiday to the Maldives. For expert insider information and to help you plan a Maldives trip that’s right for you, call our destination team.
FAQs
Which is the main airport in the Maldives?
Velana International Airport in Malé is the main international gateway.
Which UK airports have direct flights to the Maldives?
Direct flights typically depart from London Heathrow, with seasonal routes sometimes available from Manchester and other UK airports.
Is it easy to travel around the Maldives?
Yes, onward travel is straightforward thanks to domestic flights, seaplanes, ferries, and private speedboat transfers usually organised by your resort.
How do you get around the Maldives?
The quickest transport is seaplanes and domestic flights, followed by speedboats, or the slower but cheaper local ferries, depending on your resort location. 
