MLE
Velana International
Hulhulé, Malé
Every seaplane flight in the Maldives starts here. TMA flies from the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal on the far side of the airport island, a short shuttle from international arrivals.
Airports
Every flight starts at Velana.
There is one seaplane base in the country, on the airport island beside Malé. The domestic airports elsewhere are for landplanes - useful to know, because for a few islands they are the better answer.
VAM
Villa International Maamigili
Maamigili, South Ari · 60 NM from Malé
A domestic airport for landplanes. Seaplanes do not use it, but it is a real alternative for Maamigili and nearby islands - a domestic flight plus a boat, with no lagoon cut-off.
DRV
Dharavandhoo Airport
Dharavandhoo, Baa · 63 NM from Malé
A domestic airport for landplanes. Seaplanes do not use it, but it is a real alternative for Dharavandhoo and nearby islands - a domestic flight plus a boat, with no lagoon cut-off.
IFU
Ifuru Airport
Ifuru, Raa · 96 NM from Malé
A domestic airport for landplanes. Seaplanes do not use it, but it is a real alternative for nearby islands - a domestic flight plus a boat, with no lagoon cut-off.
DDD
Dhaalu Airport
Kudahuvadhoo, Dhaalu · 99 NM from Malé
A domestic airport for landplanes. Seaplanes do not use it, but it is a real alternative for Kudahuvadhoo and nearby islands - a domestic flight plus a boat, with no lagoon cut-off.
From arrivals to the seaplane
Clear immigration and customs, collect your bags, and look for the seaplane transfer desks in the arrivals hall. A shuttle bus runs to the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal on the far side of the airport island, five to ten minutes away. Check in at the seaplane counter, where you and your bags are weighed together, and wait in the free general lounge until your rotation is called.
Allow three to five hours from touching down at Velana to walking into your guesthouse. Most of it is waiting, and the waiting is by the water.