Source: 123rf
Ah, the Maldives. We've all heard about it, we all dream of them, we would all do anything to go on holiday there and enjoy that magnificent tropical sun, of the rustling of the lush vegetation under the warm equatorial winds, of being able to walk on that white, fine and impalpable sand before throwing yourself into clear, warm and crystalline seas and stay there for hours on end, without a thought in mind.
What a wonder, what a pleasure, what a dream! And if you are reading this article, in all likelihood you are part of that dream and are preparing to leave. Only... Only you don't know how, exactly. Sure, there is the Maldives airport (and also low cost flights to the Maldives departing from Italy), but what do you do once you leave there? How to get there, Also? And where are we going? How to reach your island?
If these are the only questions you need answers to, don't despair and keep reading.
The Maldives airport
In the Maldives you arrive at the airport. And so far we are, nothing new under the (tropical) sun.
Let's go into more detail. The airport has the precise name of Velana International Airport, and the main port of call in the Maldives and stands on the uninhabited island of Hulhulé, which is itself not far from the nation's capital, Small.
The airport itself is managed by a private company, the Maldives Airports Company Limited (or MACL), and manages most types of air traffic and companies, both scheduled and charter; it is also a very busy stopover, especially on the line connecting the Maldives to Sri Lanka.
As for us Italians, we have direct return flights available thanks to Alitalia (Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino airports) o Neos (always Malpensa and Fiumicino, but also Verona).
The arrival in the Maldives
So the trip was successful and we are in the idyllic island landscape. What do we do now?
First, let's look around. The Velana International Airport consists of three passenger terminals, each dedicated to different types of flights (international, national and one specifically for seaplanes).
The one we should land at is the first, dedicated to international flights, which is also the largest; inside awaits a variety of services that are relatively common in large airports but which are still worth listing:
- Medical clinic;
- Bank with currency exchange;
- Catering with bars, cafes, restaurants, etc.;
- Smoking area;
- Lost property (active 24/7, located in the arrivals area and contactable either by email at lostnfound@macl.aero or by telephone at 960-7785366);
- La Maamahi Executive Lounge, waiting room for VIPs and wealthy people (admission, which can be booked via email, costs at least 200 dollars) full of every amenity, from catering to private wi-fi;
- The Leeli Lounge, dedicated to first class passengers and a little less equipped but nevertheless equipped with the necessary services (wi-fi, bar/restaurant corner, selection of magazines, television, screens with flight information, etc.);
- Luggage storage ($6 per day for regular bags, $12 for oversized items).
Once you arrive, you will have no difficulty reaching the chosen island. In fact, there are 3 ways to travel and reach the final destination: the boat, the seaplane or an internal flight.
