Malé is the capital of the Maldives and is known for being one of the smallest and most crowded capitals in the world. It sits on a coral island that covers less than 6 square kilometres in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is made up of 26 atolls and 1,192 islands, with none rising more than 2.4 metres above sea level. For international visitors, every trip to the Maldives starts and ends in the same place.
Male Airport is the only international airport in the Maldives. Its official name is Velana International Airport. Each year, it serves more than 3 million passengers and links the capital to distant atolls, some up to 65 minutes away by seaplane. In this guide, you'll find information about Male Airport's name and code, how to get to resorts near Male Airport, and what has changed with the 2026 terminal expansion.
What Is the Male International Airport Name?
Velana International Airport is the only international airport in the Maldives, operated by the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), a 100% government-owned company. The official airport website is Maldives Airports.
The Male Airport name has changed three times in its history:
- Original informal name: Male Airport (still the most widely searched and used name globally)
- 2011: Renamed Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, honouring the country's first President
- 2017 to present: Renamed Velana International Airport (per MACL's official naming announcement, after the ancestral home of Ibrahim Nasir in Malé).
Before 2017, Male International Airport was the common English name. You’ll still see it in booking systems, travel articles, and everyday conversation. It’s not incorrect to use this name, but it’s no longer the official one.
In 2026, Velana International Airport opened a new passenger terminal costing $585 million as part of the Maldives' airport modernization plan. This expansion greatly improved the airport’s capacity, facilities, and the experience for arriving passengers.
Year | Name | Notes |
Pre-2011 | Male Airport (informal) | No formal official English name |
2011 | Ibrahim Nasir International Airport | Renamed after first Maldivian president |
2017 | Velana International Airport | Current official name; from Nasir's ancestral house |
2026 | Velana International Airport | New $585M terminal opened; capacity expanded |
Where Is Male Airport Maldives Located and How Large Is It?
Male Airport Maldives is on Hulhulé Island in Kaafu Atoll, which is separate from Malé, the capital island, and sits just 2 metres above sea level. The Sinamalé Bridge now links the airport island to both Malé and the artificial island of Hulhumalé by road. For 58 years before the bridge, the only way to reach the capital from the airport was by boat.
Velana International Airport offers flights to over 35 international destinations and serves more than 30 airlines. Each year, more than 3 million people pass through the airport. MACL is working on a long-term project to increase the airport’s capacity from 1.5 million to 7.5 million passengers.
The new 3,400-metre runway is now open and can handle large planes, including the Airbus A380.
Detail | Information |
Official name | Velana International Airport |
IATA code | MLE |
ICAO code | VRMM |
Location | Hulhulé Island, Kaafu Atoll |
Opened | 12 April 1966 |
Operator | Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) |
Runway length | 3,400 metres |
Seaplane capacity | 55+ floatplanes (Noovilu Terminal) |
Passenger capacity | Expanding to 7.5 million |
What Is the Male Airport Code and What Does MLE Mean?
The Male Airport code (IATA) is MLE. This three-letter code appears on boarding passes, baggage tags, flight booking platforms, and departure boards for all flights to and from the Maldives.
The ICAO code is VRMM, used in air traffic control, pilot navigation, and aviation technical documentation. Passengers only ever see the IATA code (MLE) during a normal booking.
When you search for flights to the Maldives, use the Male Airport code MLE to find all routes to Velana International Airport. No other airport in the Maldives uses this code. The 13 regional domestic airports each have their own codes.
Code Type | Code | Used For | Notes |
IATA | MLE | Passenger bookings, boarding passes, luggage tags | The code you search for when booking |
ICAO | VRMM | Air traffic control, pilot navigation | Not visible to most passengers |
How Do Transfers from Male Airport Maldives to Resorts Work?
After you land at Male Airport Maldives, you usually won’t go straight to your resort on the same island. Resorts are spread across many atolls, so getting to most of them from Velana International Airport means using one of three types of transfers, depending on your resort’s location.
Here’s a quick overview:
- Speedboat Transfers
- Seaplane Transfers from Noovilu Terminal
- Hulhumalé and Bridge-Connected Stays
Speedboats: The First Ride to Your Island
Speedboats serve resorts near Male Airport in North and South Malé Atoll (Kaafu Atoll) and some properties in neighbouring atolls.
- Journey time: 20 to 90 minutes depending on the resort's island location within the atoll
- The speedboat dock is at the Noovilu Jetty, adjacent to the main international terminal; resort representatives meet guests in the arrival hall and escort them directly to the boat
- Kaafu Atoll holds the largest concentration of resorts near Male Airport accessible by speedboat; no additional booking is required beyond the resort reservation
- The boat ride is part of the experience. Most guests get their first view of the islands from the water before they even check in.
Seaplanes from Noovilu: Flying Across the Atolls
The Noovilu Seaplane Terminal at Velana International Airport is the world's largest seaplane hub and serves remote atolls including Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll, and Lhaviyani Atoll.
- Seaplane flight time: 25 to 65 minutes depending on the atoll; the transfer connects you to islands with no domestic runway access
- Seaplanes only fly during daylight hours. If your international flight arrives after sunset, you’ll need to spend one night in Malé or Hulhumalé and transfer to your resort the next morning.
- Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) is the primary operator at Male Airport; your resort arranges the seaplane slot as part of your booking; no separate ticketing is required from guests
- Be sure to plan your arrival time. If your flight lands at 9pm, your seaplane transfer will take place the next day.
Hulhumalé Stays: A Road-Connected Option Near the Airport
Hulhumalé is an artificial island connected by the Sinamalé Bridge to both Hulhulé (airport island) and Malé.
- Road transfer time from Male Airport: approximately 10 to 15 minutes by taxi; no water transfer required
- Hotels and guesthouses in Hulhumalé are a good choice for guests who arrive late at night, when seaplanes are not running, or for those with an early departure the next day.
- This is the simplest option among resorts near Male Airport without needing a boat or flight. It’s ideal for the night before or after your resort stay.
- Hulhumalé has its own beach, restaurants, and basic facilities. It’s not a resort island, but it works well as a place to stay in transit.
What Should You Know About Velana International Airport Before Arrival?
Since 2026, Male International Airport has had a new passenger terminal. The larger space offers more check-in counters, better baggage handling, and improved transit areas compared to before.
Visa on arrival:
- Most nationalities receive a free 30-day visa on arrival in the Maldives
- Required at immigration: valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation
- The immigration line at Male Airport Maldives can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour, depending on how many flights arrive at once. Arriving in the morning, when fewer long-haul flights land, usually means a faster process.
Transfer timing:
- Make sure to arrange your seaplane or speedboat transfer with your resort before you leave home.
- The Noovilu Seaplane Terminal at Velana International Airport is a short walk from the main terminal. Seaplanes run on schedules that are timed with incoming flights.
- If your international flight is delayed or arrives late, your resort will adjust your transfer. Be sure to stay in touch with your resort directly.
- Currency: The Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) is the official currency; US dollars are widely accepted at resorts and most tourist-facing businesses
- Power: The Maldives uses UK-style Type G plugs; carry an adapter if needed
- Connectivity: SIM cards are available at the airport on arrival from Dhiraagu and Ooredoo
Final Takeaway
Male Airport, now officially called Velana International Airport, is the only entry and exit point for the Maldives. The Male Airport code MLE is used for all international flights. The Male Airport’s name has changed three times since 1966 and is now Velana International Airport. You can reach resorts near Male Airport in three main ways: speedboat, seaplane, or road transfer over the bridge. Once you know how each works, getting to your resort is easy. The new terminal and runway, opened in 2026, have made arriving and departing from Male International Airport much better for everyone.
Knowing the history of Male Airport’s name helps avoid confusion when booking flights, since some older references may still use Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. If you’re planning a holiday to Male or Maldives and want help with transfers or choosing a resort, Holiday Tribe’s advisors can handle everything from the moment you arrive.
