Velana International Airport is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhulé Island in the North Malé Atoll, nearby the capital island Malé. The airport is well connected with major airports around the world, mostly serving as the main gateway into the Maldives for tourists.
The official IATA airport code for the primary international gateway to the Maldives is MLE. This code refers to Velana International Airport, which is located on Hulhulé Island, adjacent to the capital city of Malé. Because the Maldives is an archipelago of over 1,000 coral islands, MLE is the central hub through which almost all international tourists arrive before transferring to their specific resort via seaplane, speedboat, or domestic flight. The airport was formerly known as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport until it was rebranded in 2017. As of 2026, the airport has undergone significant expansion, including a new passenger terminal designed to handle the increasing volume of global tourism. When booking flights, it is important to use the code MLE to ensure you are flying into the main international hub, as the Maldives has several other smaller domestic airports (such as GAN or DRV) that serve specific southern or northern atolls but do not generally handle long-haul international commercial flights from outside the immediate region.
The International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Location Identifier is a unique 3-letter code (also commonly known as IATA code) used in aviation and also in logistics to identify an airport.
Three letter combinations gives 263=17576 possible codes. Some airports have multiple codes (ARN = STO, for example). I'm just going to guess that there are more than 17576 airports in the world. Are we reusing these codes?
Top tips for finding cheap flights to the Maldives. Book at least 1 week before departure in order to get a below-average price. High season is considered to be May, June and July. The cheapest month to fly from the United States is February.
When is the cheapest time to visit the Maldives? The cheapest time to visit the Maldives is during the low season, which is May to November. The low season sees hotel rates drop substantially, with free transfers, free nights and room upgrades thrown in regularly.
The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April, outside of the monsoon season. We recommend staying during March and April (excluding the Easter holidays when pricing is more expensive) when you will enjoy hot, dry weather and quieter resorts.
4 to 5 days are usually enough to spend in the islands of Maldives. You can easily explore the major places in 5 days. Which month is the best month to visit the Maldives? The best month to visit the Maldives is from November to April.
Overall, the cost of a trip to the Maldives can be high due to the remote location and the luxury offerings of many resorts. It's recommended to plan ahead and research your options to find the best deals and options for your budget and preferences.
You do not need to apply for a visa before you travel to the Maldives on holiday. All tourists, of all nationalities, can receive a 30 day visa free of charge on arrival in the Maldives.
The cost of a one-week trip to the Maldives for two people can vary greatly depending on the time of year, the type of accommodation you choose, and the activities you do. However, a rough estimate is: Accommodation: $3,000 - $5,000 per night for a resort or overwater bungalow. Airfare: $1,000 - $2,000 per person.
If you're on a budget, though, the popular dry season may be the worst time for you to visit. While a trip to the Maldives is almost always pricey, costs are highest in the peak months of November to April — making the rest of the year a better bet if you're in search of good deals.
K ? United States The prefix K is generally reserved for the contiguous United States. The ICAO codes for these airports are usually the FAA location identifier prefixed with a K.