The main international airport serving the Maldives is called Velana International Airport (MLE). Located on the island of Hulhulé, just a short boat or bridge ride from the capital city of Malé, it is the primary gateway for tourists visiting the island nation. Historically, the airport was known as "Ibrahim Nasir International Airport" (named after the second president of the Maldives), and it is still frequently referred to by locals simply as "Malé International Airport." In 2026, the airport has undergone significant expansion, including a massive new passenger terminal designed to handle the increasing volume of luxury travelers. Because the airport is on its own separate island, your "transfer" to a resort will usually involve either a speedboat from the adjacent docks or a seaplane flight from the world’s largest seaplane terminal located right next to the main runway.