5/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“I had a great experience at Velana International Airport, and the highlight was definitely the Koveli Lounge.”
H K5★ on Google
Airports / Maldives / MLE
Large airport · MLE
Velana International Airport.
Malé, Maldives · 6 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
3.9/5
Google rating
6,122 ratings
0
Operators based
6
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Malé, MaldivesELEV 6 FTLarge airportScheduled service
3.9
Google rating
6,122
Google reviews
ratings on Google
6
Field elevation
feet above sea level
60
Nearest alternate
nm to VAM
Field standing
60 nm
To the nearest alternate
Villa International Airport Maamigili (VAM).
Overview
Velana International Airport (VRMM / MLE) is a large commercial airport serving Malé, Maldives. Field elevation is 6 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.
While no charter operators list MLE as their home base, the field is reachable for repositioned charter aircraft from nearby bases. The closest alternate fields are Villa International Airport Maamigili (VAM, 60 nm), Maafaru International Airport (NMF, 98 nm), and Kadhdhoo Airport (KDO, 140 nm). The field has a single 11,155-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
Charter travelers heading this way can start with the Male, Maldives destination guide for route and aircraft recommendations. You may also see the field referenced as Malé International Airport. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from MLE to plan your flight.
Run an FBO at VRMM? Become the preferred FBO
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
4/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“The officials here are exceptionally friendly, and their service is smooth and efficient, ensuring a hassle-free journey.”
Ahmed Fahim5★ on Google
4/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“They went above and beyond to make sure guests were well taken care of.”
H K5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Velana International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
VRMM
IATA
MLE
FAA / Local
VRMM
Elevation
6 ft
Coordinates
4.1918° N · 73.5291° E
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs Maldives fields
state range 2–6 ft
At 6 ft, MLE sits lower than 0% of the 7 Maldives fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 11,155 ft
- 18/3611,155 ft × 197 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 11,155 ft
MLE's 11,155 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 60nmVAMVilla International Airport MaamigiliMaamigili
- 98nmNMFMaafaru International AirportNoonu Atoll
- 140nmKDOKadhdhoo AirportKadhdhoo
- 155nmHAQHanimaadhoo International AirportHaa Dhaalu Atoll
- 225nmKDMKaadedhdhoo AirportHuvadhu Atoll
- 294nmGANGan International AirportGan
Destinations served
Location
Open the full mapVRMM · Velana International Airport · Malé, Maldives
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from MLE on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage (ANC) | 6,396 nm | 15h 16m |
| Boston (BED) | 7,415 nm | 17h 39m |
| Honolulu (HNL) | 7,417 nm | 17h 39m |
| New York (TEB) | 7,571 nm | 18h 0m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 7,596 nm | 18h 4m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 7,759 nm | 18h 27m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 7,856 nm | 18h 40m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 7,928 nm | 18h 50m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use MLE?
- Velana International Airport's longest paved runway is 11,155 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at MLE?
- Velana International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 11,155 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to MLE?
- The closest alternate is Villa International Airport Maamigili (VAM), about 60 nm away, followed by Maafaru International Airport (NMF) at 98 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from MLE to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Anchorage about 15h 16m (6,396 nm), Boston about 17h 39m (7,415 nm), Honolulu about 17h 39m (7,417 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.