For many travellers, a trip to the Maldives is as idyllic as it gets. With its impossibly blue waters, powdery beaches and luxury resorts, the Indian Ocean archipelago, made up of 1,192 islands, offers escapism in its purest form.
But with the islands’ remote locations, reaching your end destination in the Maldives requires a journey made up of multiple legs, with most people arriving into the capital, Male, before boarding a domestic flight, seaplane or speedboat to their resort.
However, Emirates has just announced a partnership with Maldivian, allowing travellers to book flights from Dubai to 16 islands on one ticket – one less thing in the way of you and the beach.
The partnership, which launched on Friday, will make connecting at Velana International Airport to onward domestic flights a more seamless process, with luggage transfer and check-in already taken care of.
The Maldives Islands you can now book from Dubai
When booking flights from Dubai with Emirates, travellers can now select the following 16 airports as their final destination.
Dharavandhoo Island (DRV)
Just a 20-minute flight from Male, Dharavandhoo Island sits at the heart of The Maldives’s only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and is home several affordable accommodation options. The main lure here are its surrounding waters, where manta rays and whale sharks are regular visitors.
Faresmaathoda Airport (FMT)
One of the Maldives’s inhabited island, Fares-Maathoda is part of the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The airport here is new, opening in February this year, designed to make access to the southern islands more seamless.
Funadhoo Airport (FND)
Funadhoo Airport sits at the heart of the Shaviyani Atoll, and from here, Fairmont Maldives, JW Marriott Maldives Resort and Spa and Sirru Fen Fushi Jare and just a short speedboat ride away.
Fuvahmulak Island Airport (FVM)
Just over an hour by plane from Male, Fuvahmulak is located in the Gnaviyani Atoll, and is known for its white pebble beach, as well as its surfing. This is a popular spot for travellers seeking a more affordable Maldivian experience.
Gan Island International (GAN)
Gan Island International is the main gateway to the luxury resorts of the southern Maldives, and as such, it’s common to see private jets come and go from here. Around 90 minutes by plane from Male (a journey that takes passengers across the equator), connections here allow easy access to several resorts such as the Shangri-La Villingili, one of the Maldive’s southernmost resorts.
Kooddoo Island (GKK)
Located in the Gaafu Alifu atoll, Kooddoo Airport is served by daily flights from Male, and offers easy access to Pullman Maldives Maamutaa, Amari Havodda Maldives and The Residence Maldives resort.
Hanimaadhoo Island Airport (HAQ)
Located in the northernmost atoll of the Maldives, Thiladhummathi, Hanimaadhoo is a 55-minute flight from Male. From here, guests can arrange easy transfer to all northern resorts by boat, including The Barefoot Eco Hotel.
Kulhudhuffushi Airport (HDK)
Close to Hanimaadhoo is Kulhudhuffushi, a smaller airport serving the northernmost atolls, with daily flights to Male.
Hoarafushi Airport (HRF)
Opened in 2020, Hoarafushi, in the northernmost atoll of Haa Alif, is an hour by boat from the next nearest airport, easing travel to and from Male for both residents and tourists. It’s one of the Maldives’s oldest inhabited islands, and is home to several cultural sites, including an 80-year-old mosque, as well as a white sandy beach and several family-run guesthouses.
Kaadedhdhoo Island Airport (KDM)
On the south island of Kaadedhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, Kaadedhdhoo is within easy reach of several popular island resorts, including Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo.
Kadhdhoo Island (KDO)
Sitting at the centre of the Maldives, between its two main hubs Male and Gan, Kadhdhoo is one of the archipelago’s busiest domestic airports, and offers regular flights to Male and several other domestic hubs. From here, resorts including Six Senses Laamu and Amra Palace are easy to reach by boat.
Madivaru Airport (LMV)
Madivaru, in the Lhaviyani atoll, was used as a military base until 2018. This is a small airport, but it’s close to some Maldives big hitters, including Soneva Jani and Komandoo Island Resort.
Maafaru International Airport (NMF)
Another fairly new airport for the Maldives, Maafaru is located in the northern Noonu atoll, and is within easy reach of some of the Madlives’ most luxury retreats, including Velaa Private Island and Cheval Blanc Randheli.
Maavarulu Airport (RUL)
Located in the southern Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, Maavarulu offers daily flights to and from Male, and is close to the NotiKora nature reserve.
Thimarafushi Airport (TMF)
Located in the south west, Thimarafushi serves the 67 islands that make up the Kolhumadulu atoll, 13 of which are inhabited. This part of the country is particularly famous for its snorkelling and surfing, and its thriving marine life, with sharks, turtles and rays all common sights here.
Ifuru (IFU)
Finally, Ifuru, located in the Ungoofaaru area, is a 40-minute flight from Male, with daily flights to and from the central hub. As well as a domestic airport, this island is also home to a skydive facility, for adventurous travellers who want to take in the stunning Maldives from above.