There are twelve airports in the Maldives, out of which four are international, and the rest are domestic airports. The main Maldives Airport is Male' International Airport, also known as Velana International Airport, located in Hulhule' island. This airport has three terminals, domestic, seaplane, and international terminal. Maafaru International Airport is the second most renowned international airport located in Maafaru island. Hanimaadhoo International Airport and Gan International Airport are the other important international airports in the Maldives that facilitate people to reach this archipelago from any part of the world. The domestic airports in the Maldives are Ifuru Airport, Dharavandhoo Airport, Maamigili Airport, Thimarafushi Airport, and Kadhdhoo Airport.
International Airports:
- Velana International Airport
Also known as Male' International Airport, it is the main international airport in the Maldives that was opened in 1960 and is located in Hulhule' island. This airport is served by a large number of carriers such as Air France, Bangkok Airways, Air India, Cathay PacificEtihad, Emirates, Condor, FlyMe, Lufthansa, Hong Kong Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Korean Air. The airport offers tons of amenities to ensure visitors a convenient and comfortable departure or arrival. There is a health care center, wellness center, and a fully-stocked pharmacy.
- Maafaru International Airport
This is the second most renowned international airport in the Maldives that was built in 2020 for the landing of larger aircraft. The runway is 22,00 meters long, and it is estimated that private jets will also be able to land at this airport.
- Hanimaadhoo International Airport
Hanimaadhoo is located on the upper north of the country. It was opened as a domestic airport, but it was upgraded as an international airport on 2nd February 2012.
Gan International Airport
Located in the Gan Island, Gan International Airport allows domestic as well as international aircraft movements all year round. The international flight carrier operating at this airport is SriLankan Airlines that connects Colombo.
Domestic Airports:
- Ifuru Airport
This airport is situated in Raa Atoll and is one hundred and ten miles from Male' International Airport. The airport has been operating since 2015, and it connects Noonu Atoll and the islands in Raa Atoll to the capital.
- Dharavandhoo Airport
This is a domestic Maldives airport operated by Island Aviation Services and owned by Coastline Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd. From Dharavandhoo, Maldivian and Flyme airlines have around eight to nine flights daily to and from Male, Ifuru, and Hanimaadhoo.
- Kadhdhoo Airport
This was the first domestic airport in the Maldives that was opened in1980s to connect the faraway islands to Male city. It is situated on Kadhdhoo Island and serves the islands located in Haddhunmathi Atoll. Flyme and Maldivian Airlines operate flights connecting a few of the domestic destinations like Gan, Kaadedhdhoo, Male, Kooddoo, etc.
- Kaadedhdhoo Airport
This is another renowned domestic airport in the Maldives that sits on Kaadedhdhoo Island. It serves the small islands in the Huvadhu Atoll, and Maldivian is the only airline that operates here with flights connecting Male, nearby Kadhdhoo, and Gan.
- Fuvahmulah Airport
Owned by the government of the Maldives this domestic airport was opened in 2011, and it serves the Fuvahmulah Island. This is a small airport with a single runway, and Flyme and Maldivian operate scheduled flights from Male and Gan from this airport.
- Dhaalu Airport
This is the largest domestic Maldives airport that was opened in 2017. It is operated by Dhaalu Airport Holdings and is owned by Reollo Investments Pvt Ltd. It has a large runway designed to handle the large flights. Flights connecting Male, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo, and Gan are available from this airport.
- Thimarafushi Airport
Located on Thimarafushi Island, this is a domestic Maldives Airport that is operated by Island Aviation Services. Thimarafushi Airport has flights connecting the island of Male.
Visa Facility and Documents required For Indian Citizens:
Indians planning to travel to the Maldives need not worry about visas as the island country doesn't require a pre-arrival visa. You'll be given a visa on arrival at the airport, but you'll have to submit a few essential documents to get the visa.
The government of Maldives basically permits three types of visas to international visitors- Business, family visit, and tourist visa. If you're traveling for a holiday, you will get the Tourist Visa.
The immigration officials issue a tourist visa for Indians traveling to the Maldives on arrival at the airport. Firstly, you'll be given a Maldives Tourist Form that you will have to fill with the authentic details. Once you fill out the form, you'll have to submit a few legal documents as instructed by the government officials. You'll then have to give a short interview where the Immigration officer will ask you a few questions. Once you clear all these steps, you'll be granted a visa to the Maldives for thirty days.
Documents required:
- Copy of booking confirmation of your hotel
- A confirmed return ticket from the Maldives
- An official passport that should be valid for six months post your journey date.
- Two colored passport size photographs that are 44mm in length and 35mm in width