Velana International Airport (MLE) sits on the separate island of Hulhulé, a couple of kilometres east of Malé across the lagoon. Long-haul flights connect to Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Singapore, Colombo, Beijing, Delhi and London, with seasonal direct services from much of Europe. The airport handles both international arrivals and the seaplane terminal for resort transfers.
From the airport to Malé itself the cheapest option is the local public ferry that runs across the lagoon every fifteen to thirty minutes during the day (around MVR 10–20). Speedboat taxis run on demand and take five to ten minutes; pre-arranged transfers via a hotel cost more but spare you the queue. The Sinamalé Bridge — the first road link between Malé and Hulhulé, opened in 2018 — also takes taxis and buses across the lagoon and on to Hulhumalé, the satellite island just north of the airport.