Around the world there is a mass of take-off points - airports. All of them are so different: modern and unfinished, twenty-four-hour and temporary, large and small, even abandoned. But if you are going to fly to the Maldives , then you are waiting for the airport of Male , which is a whole island!
Historical reference
The airport dates back to October 19, 1960, while the runway measured 914 meters in length and 22 meters in width and was made of polished steel sheets. In the period from 1964-66, work was gradually carried out to replace the old coating with modern asphalt. Interestingly, local authorities controlled the speed of work through solid cash prizes.
More about the airport
Male has the status of an international airport, the only one on the island archipelago, and is the largest in the Maldives. But at the present time there is a reconstruction of the Gan airport on the island of the same name, which will become the second runway of the international class. After that, tourists will be able to choose which airport in the Maldives is more convenient to fly.
On the map of the archipelago, Male airport is located on the island of Hulule, 2 km from the capital of the Maldives, the city of Male, in the Indian Ocean. Its main feature is that it occupies an entire island , which has long and very narrow outlines. The runway begins and ends near the water itself. While waiting for departure, you can make a posh photo of the plane landing at the Male airport. To other islands of tourists fast boats, seaplanes and boats are carried.
The modern runway measures 3200 m in length, 45 m in width and 2 m above sea level. The annual passenger turnover is 3 million people. Male Airport is the home airport for Trans Maldivian Airways.
Features of the name of the airport Maldives
In the first years of existence of the international airport in the Maldives it was called the island - the airport of Hulule. After another reconstruction and equipping on November 11, 1981, the grand opening of the air harbor under the name "International Male Airport" took place. Male airport code is MLE.
On July 26, 2011, the airport of Maldives was officially renamed the International Airport named after Ibrahim Nasir (MLE). Thus, it was decided to perpetuate the memory and name of the second president of the Maldives Islands, which was the initiator of the airport construction in the distant 1960s.
January 1, 2017 during the rebranding of the Maldives airport in Male was renamed the "International Airport of Velana". This name was worn by the house of Ibrahim Nasir.
Facilities at Male International Airport
There are two terminals on the island-airport, one of which serves 34 airlines (international), and the second - domestic flights of the country. For tourists such services are provided:
- waiting rooms and the Hotel Male Airport Hotel;
- cafes, restaurants, a large shop and a smoking area;
- luggage storage room (round the clock) and additional baggage packaging;
- room for mother and child;
- medical post (round-the-clock);
- post office;
- currency exchange offices, ATMs and bank branches;
- prayer rooms;
- public showers (free) and toilets;
- SPA-center.
In addition, there is a duty free zone on the territory of the international terminal, and there are internet kiosks near the exits № 1-3. Expect and track the desired flight conveniently using the online departure and arrival board.
How to get to Male airport?
Since the Maldives International Airport is on a separate island, it is possible to reach it:
- On water. Every day, ferries (30 passengers) leave at an interval of 10 minutes to the capital. The ticket price is $ 1, the journey time is no more than 10 minutes. In the evening intervals are 30 minutes, and the fare is $ 2. You can also use the 24-hour dhoni - traditional boats of local residents. They depart from the small pier behind the arrivals area as they fill in without a timetable. On average, the waiting time for departure is 15-20 minutes. It is necessary to specify the name of the island you need. The fare is $ 1-2.
- Through the air. To the remote resorts of the Maldives , small planes fly - hydroplanes that land on the water in any place. Hydroplanes make departures from Male daily from 6:00 to 16:30, the cost of flight check before landing.
In case of a paid transfer, the hotel representatives will meet you at the airport upon arrival.