Velana International Airport — Local services in Malé

Velana International Airport (MLE), also known as Malé-Velana International Airport, is the Maldives’ primary gateway and a pivotal hub in its tourism-driven economy. Here’s a thorough review spanning its current state and upcoming transformation.

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✨ Current Experience: Cleanliness, Amenities, and Flow

Upon arrival on Hulhulé Island, travelers are greeted by a recently completed Code‑F runway and seaplane terminal, designed to handle large jets and the world’s busiest seaplane operation . The terminal itself strikes a balance between efficiency and charm, though it can feel a bit dated compared to top-tier hubs.

Immigration and customs are typically smooth, though during peak tourist seasons, longer waits can occur—the new terminal aims to quadruple immigration capacity to address this (). Transit options, especially for seamless transfers to resorts, are generally well-coordinated. Caution is advised against unofficial helpers; anecdotal experiences on platforms like Reddit suggest some opportunistic charges—but sticking with uniformed staff or hotel-arranged services keeps things straightforward .

For layovers, there are lounges such as the Leeli Lounge and another post-security lounge near KFC in the food court. Despite mixed reviews, travelers highlight clean facilities, decent Wifi, and basic fare—though crowds during peak hours can be an issue .

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🚧 New Terminal: A Transformational Upgrade

The major highlight: the brand-new 78,000 m² international terminal. Slated to open July 26, 2025, with full airline migration by late autumn 2025 (), it’s a true leap forward.

Key Enhancements: • Capacity: Handling 7–7.5 million pax/year vis-à-vis the old terminal’s 1.5 million . • Gates & Boarding: Addition of at least 6 aero-bridges and 40+ total gates to reduce congestion (). • Immigration: 38 counters vastly reducing wait times (). • Tech-savvy: Modern baggage handling systems, self-check kiosks, and improved passenger flow designs (). • Aesthetic & Comfort: Spacious F&B zones, retail outlets, premium lounges, and covered walkways connecting to domestic/seaplane terminals . • Safety & Operations: Enhanced fire and rescue services, runway/taxiway upgrades, plus plans for fuel farm expansion, cargo facilities, and MRO hubs for future growth .

Strategic Vision:

The airport is envisioned as a regional hub—not just a point of arrival—but a transit center, with new domestic and low-cost carrier terminals, seaplane hubs, and even a proposed monorail-linked economic zone .

🎯 Final Verdict

Velana International Airport, in its current form, delivers a pretty solid experience—especially given its island context—but is showing its limits under growing tourism demand. Travelers appreciate its efficient immigration and clean spaces, yet occasional congestion and unofficial agents can dampen impressions.

The upcoming terminal—due mid‑2025—is nothing short of transformative. With vastly improved capacity, modern amenities, and a regional hub vision, it will elevate the Maldives’ image from idyllic escape to world-class gateway.

In summary: As of now, MLE is functional, clean, and efficient, yet basic. But, by late 2025, expect a high-end, luxurious arrival experience that mirrors the Maldives’ luxury resort mindset—and becomes a model airport for island destinations around the world.

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If you’re traveling through the Maldives before the new terminal opens, smart tips include booking tourist-arranged transfers, pre-purchasing lounge access, and allowing buffer time for immigration. The future terminal should set a new standard…but the current airport earns solid marks for tropical...

Malé airport is an utter mess. Boarding and deplaning flights involve shuttle buses, no jet bridges. Immigration is not well staffed enough to handle the volume of passengers arriving. I went through immigration twice at this airport and both times it took in excess of an hour.

Staff working at airport are utterly useless. The ladies working at the info desk fish bowl outside once you clear security don’t know how to do their jobs. They gave me wrong info and were unwilling to check an address for me on their computers. Free Wi-Fi is a mess, need to sign in via google or Facebook. If you have neither, you’re out of luck or if you have two step verification you can’t get the code cause you don’t have internet.

Poor signage. Tons of booths advertising hotels/resorts but no clear visible information regarding ferries to outer islands/taxis.

My flight was cancelled and fortunately I anticipated the chaos and arrived four hours before flight to speak to customer services. It took me a good thirty minutes before I spoke to people who were assigned for the issue. They were of no help, feeding me lines like “we can’t do anything” “you’ll need to speak with the airlines at their home office” in SWITZERLAND!! The underlings were understanding and I felt they genuinely cared for my plight but the team manager, I will not call him out by name, was unhelpful and rude. He parroted the same lines and didn’t try to provide any alternative solutions. He even tried to shush me while I was explaining my situation. He needs to learn from his staff customer relation skills.

Also airline counter check-in is extremely slow. Why does it take an hour to check in when there are only four other customers in front?!

I do have to give credit to three ladies at the airport who were helpful out of the dozens of people I spoke with. First, the lady by info desk, not in the fish bowl, understood Wi-Fi was hard to access and helped make calls for me trying to locate my ferry. Second, lady when checking me into my fly Dubai flight let me use her hotspot to fill out exit form because Wi-Fi was impossible to access. Lastly, lady by entrance made calls for me to inquire whether support staff would be available to talk after they cancelled my flight. These three kind souls made the experience bearable. Otherwise, this place is an utter dump.

Edit: After some persistence, I was able to recoup almost $1000USD from the airlines canceling my flight. Had I listened to the useless “team manager” and his utterly pathetic explanations I would have been out of that money. Mind you this wasn’t from travel insurance, this was from the airline realizing their fault and me taking all the proper steps at documenting what was said and done that I was able to...

Velana International Airport (IATA: MLE, ICAO: VRMM), located on Hulhulé Island in the Maldives, is the main international gateway to the country. It serves the capital city of Malé and connects the Maldives to numerous global destinations. Here’s an overview of its key features and significance:

Infrastructure • Terminals: Velana International Airport has multiple terminals, including: • International Terminal: Handles international flights with modern facilities such as lounges, duty-free shops, and restaurants. • Domestic Terminal: Connects travelers to various islands within the Maldives. • Seaplane Terminal: One of the busiest seaplane hubs in the world, facilitating transfers to resort islands. • Runways: The airport features a 3,400-meter-long runway capable of accommodating large aircraft, including the Airbus A380.

Airlines and Connectivity • Serves as a hub for Maldivian Airlines and other regional carriers. • Hosts numerous international airlines, connecting to major cities in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. • Popular destinations include Dubai, Singapore, Doha, and Colombo.

Services and Amenities • Modern passenger services, including Wi-Fi, VIP lounges, duty-free shopping, and dining options. • Medical facilities, prayer rooms, and a business center. • Enhanced services for tourists, such as resort representatives and baggage handling for seaplane transfers.

Seaplane Operations • A key feature of Velana International Airport is its extensive seaplane operations, allowing visitors to reach luxury resorts scattered across the archipelago.

Development • The airport has undergone significant expansion and modernization, including a new runway, an expanded international terminal, and an upgraded seaplane terminal to accommodate the growing number of tourists.

Tourism Gateway • Velana International Airport is integral to the Maldives’ tourism industry, welcoming millions of tourists annually who come for its iconic overwater bungalows, pristine beaches, and marine biodiversity.

Accessibility • Located just 1.5 kilometers from Malé, the airport is easily accessible by ferries and speedboats to the capital or other nearby islands.

Velana International Airport reflects the Maldives’ global appeal as a premier travel destination while offering smooth and efficient connections to its world-renowned resorts...