Male International Airport

Malé International Airport (MLE), officially Velana International Airport, opened in 1960 and is the Maldives’ main international gateway. The compact airport centers on one main international terminal with separate seaplane and domestic transfer facilities, handling a high volume of resort connections and international services. Located on Hulhulé Island, it’s linked to Malé and Hulhumalé by the Sinamalé (China–Maldives Friendship) Bridge and offers frequent ferries, speedboats and seaplane transfers to atolls—making onward travel straightforward but occasionally costly. Generally travelers find transfer options moderate to expensive, especially seaplane legs. MLE is the hub for national carrier Maldivian and a base for domestic seaplane operators, while major global airlines operate international routes.