Male International Airport (MLE)

Overview

The primary airport for the Maldives, Malé International Airport is the main gateway to the palm-fringed white sand beaches of the nation's many resort islands. Despite its name, the airport is not actually on the island of Malé, but is situated on a small man-made island called Hulhulé. Regular ferries connect the airport to Malé, leaving every 10-15 minutes.

Formerly known as Hulhulé Airport, Malé Airport is officially named Ibrahim Nasir International Airport after the second president of the Maldives, who initiated the construction of the airport in 1960. Processing roughly 2.6 million passengers each year, the facility is midway through an expansion that will allow it to double that capacity.

The airport can be noisy and chaotic due to construction, and passengers will find only a handful of decent cafes and a few duty-free shops to amuse themselves with. Luckily Malé itself is easily accessible and small enough to walk around, meaning no one need be trapped in the airport for very long.

Location

The airport is situated one mile (2km) northeast of Male.

Getting to the city

There are 24-hour boat services for transfers to the city of Malé and to various resort islands. Taxis are not available at the airport, but are available at Malé.

Time

GMT +5.

Contacts

Tel: + 960 32 2211/ 32 6763.

Car rental

None.

Facilities

Facilities at the airport include a bank, currency exchange office, pharmacy, duty free shops, a free shower room, restaurant and post office. There are left luggage facilities, and a first aid station.

Parking

There is no parking at Malé International Airport.

Departure Tax

US$12.

Website

www.airports.com.mv

Airlines

Flights to Malé International Airport are available via Sri Lankan Airlines, Air Berlin, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Aeroflot and Thomson Airlines.

Internet

Free wifi is available in the first class lounges, while pay-as-you-go charges apply in the rest of the terminal.

Business Lounges

The Airport Cyber Cafe offers computer terminals and laptop plug points, while the Maldivian Airlines Lounge offers free wifi, workstations, refreshments, newspapers and televisions.

Male International Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.