Maavarulu

Maavarulu Airport (RUL) is not merely a transport hub, but your first encounter with the pristine beauty of the southern Maldives. Located on a tiny, picturesque island in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, this airport resembles a film set for an adventure movie: the runway here is literally surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. For travellers, this is an air haven granting access to the region's most secluded and luxurious resorts, which were previously difficult to reach.

Features and Advantages of Maavarulu Airport:

• State-of-the-art Infrastructure: The airport opened quite recently, in 2020, so passengers can expect a modern, albeit compact terminal designed with the tropical climate in mind.
• Strategic Location: RUL has become a key point for tourism development in the southern Maldives. Thanks to it, transfer times to many popular hotels in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll have been significantly reduced compared to travelling through neighbouring airports.
• Scenic Landing: The approach here is considered one of the most beautiful in the country—the view from the window offers breathtaking scenery of coral reefs and lagoons, as the runway occupies almost the entire land area.
• Speed of Service: Due to the low passenger traffic and its status as a domestic airport, all procedures—from baggage claim to boarding a speedboat—take minimal time.

When planning a trip through Maavarulu Airport (RUL) near the city of Kooddoo, it is useful to have key contacts at hand. Please note that this is a small regional airport in the Maldives, and many issues are more effectively resolved directly through your airline or the general management company.

• Official Website: Maavarulu Airport does not have its own website. The main source of information is the website of Maldivian (maldivian.aero), the airline operating flights here, and the website of the management company, Regional Airports Company Ltd (racl.gov.mv).
• Help Desk Phone: For general enquiries, you can call the management company RACL: +960 332 0335. For information on flights, tickets, and bookings, please contact your airline directly.
• Airport Address: Maavarulu Airport (RUL), Maavarulu Island, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Republic of Maldives.
• Email: For general enquiries, you can use the management company's email: info@racl.gov.mv.
• Social Media: The airport does not have its own social media pages. It is most convenient to follow flight updates on the official pages of the Maldivian airline.
• Lost Baggage Information: The carrier airline handles issues regarding lost or damaged luggage. If you travelled with Maldivian, you should contact their representative at the airport upon arrival or write to baggageservices@iasl.aero.
• Passenger Support Contacts: For any assistance related to your flight (special assistance, flight information, ticket changes), please contact your airline's customer service directly.

When planning a trip to Maavarulu Airport (VRQM), it is important to understand the unique transport specifics of the Maldives. The airport is located on its own island, Maavarulu, in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and primarily serves guests of local resorts, including the nearby island of Kooddoo. Here you will not find the buses or metro systems typical of metropolises—all logistics are built around sea and air transport between the islands.

Transfers from Hotels and Resorts are the main and, essentially, the only way to get to your accommodation from Maavarulu Airport. Typically, upon arrival, a hotel representative meets you and escorts you to a speedboat or, in some cases, to a subsequent domestic flight to another atoll. The transfer must be booked in advance, simultaneously with your accommodation booking. The cost of this service is usually included in the total holiday bill or paid separately, and it can be quite significant.

Regarding other modes of transport, the situation is as follows:

• Public Transport and Taxis: There are no bus routes, railways, or taxi services in the classical sense on Maavarulu Island and neighbouring resort islands. Movement around the resort island itself is most often done on foot or by electric buggies provided by the hotel.
• Car Rental and Parking: Due to the small size of the islands and the lack of a road network, car rental is not practised. Consequently, there is no long-term public parking for tourists at the airport.

Travel Time and Cost depend directly on the location of your hotel. A journey by speedboat to a resort on a neighbouring island can take from 15 minutes to an hour. Transfer costs vary from $100 to several hundred dollars per person, depending on the distance and the class of the boat. Always confirm the exact price and schedule with your hotel.

Main Recommendation for travellers: coordinate all transport matters directly with your resort administration. This is the most reliable and stress-free way to organise your arrival and departure. Maavarulu Airport is a key transport hub for the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, whereas for travel to other parts of the Maldives, other air harbours may be used, for example, Gan Airport in the south or Fuvahmulah.

Maavarulu Airport (RUL) is a modern, yet very compact domestic airport, typical of island nations. Its infrastructure is designed for maximum convenience and speed of service for passengers travelling between atolls.

The airport operates one passenger terminal, which serves both departing and arriving flights. Thanks to this, navigation through it is intuitively clear and causes no difficulties. The terminal building is a single space, clearly divided into functional zones. There are no transfers between terminals, as all operations are concentrated in one place.

The airport layout is extremely simple. Upon entering the terminal, you immediately find yourself in the departure zone, where the check-in counters are located. Immediately behind them is the security checkpoint. After passing control, passengers enter a small but comfortable waiting lounge, from where boarding takes place. The arrival zone is located in another part of the building and consists of the baggage claim hall and the exit to the city. The entire path from entrance to exit takes mere minutes.

Completing all pre-flight formalities at Maavarulu Airport usually takes very little time. Check-in and security screening rarely take more than 20-30 minutes. Nevertheless, it is recommended to arrive at the airport approximately one hour before departure to check in luggage and go through all procedures without rushing.

The main advice for navigation is not to worry. It is virtually impossible to get lost in this airport. Signs are simple and clear, and staff are always ready to help. The compact size and logical layout make the stay at Maavarulu Airport comfortable and eliminate the stress that often accompanies travel through major aviation hubs.

Maavarulu Airport (RUL) is one of the youngest in the aviation system of the Maldives, but its history began long before its opening. The idea of building an air harbour for the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll arose back in the early 2010s, but the project faced numerous delays. After a pause of several years, construction was resumed by the government of the Maldives and completed in record time.

A key moment in the airport's history was March 2020, when the first test flight landed on its runway. The official opening and the start of regular commercial flights took place on 4 July 2020. This event was a real breakthrough for the region, significantly reducing travel time for locals and opening new opportunities for tourism development in the southern atolls.

One of the most interesting facts is that Maavarulu Airport was built on specially prepared, reclaimed land, which is a common practice for the island nation. Despite its recent history, the airport has not undergone major reconstructions, as it was originally designed and built taking into account modern standards of safety and passenger comfort. Its creation is an achievement in itself, demonstrating the commitment of the Maldives to improving transport infrastructure and the accessibility of remote islands.

Maavarulu Airport (RUL) is a modern and compact domestic airport, the main task of which is to ensure fast and comfortable transfers for tourists heading to the resorts of the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Although it cannot boast the scale of an international hub, all the basic amenities necessary for a comfortable wait for a flight are present here.

For passengers, there is a small waiting lounge in the terminal. You can have a snack and drink coffee at the local cafe, which serves light snacks and beverages. There is also usually a small shop here where you can buy souvenirs or necessities. To stay connected, travellers can use the free Wi-Fi, and special stations are provided for charging gadgets.

For guests travelling with enhanced comfort, a VIP lounge is often available, the services of which are usually coordinated by resort representatives. Passengers with children can use the standard amenities in the waiting lounge, and assistance with boarding and disembarking is provided for people with disabilities. It is recommended to notify the airline in advance of the need for special assistance. A first aid post also operates on the airport premises.

It is worth noting that there are no bank branches, currency exchange points, or large Duty Free shops at Maavarulu Airport. All financial transactions are best conducted in advance at Velana International Airport (Male) or directly at your resort. There are also no hotels on the premises or business centres—the main infrastructure for rest and work is concentrated on the nearby resort islands, to which further transfers are organised.

Maavarulu Airport (RUL) is a small regional air terminal serving domestic flights and transfers to resorts. Due to its compact size, the choice of catering establishments here is quite limited. Travellers should understand in advance that there is no great variety of restaurants and cafes here, as in large international hubs.

Typically, a small cafe or snack bar operates in the main and only terminal of the airport. It is located in the general area, accessible to both departing and arriving passengers. This is the main and only place where you can have a snack while waiting for a flight.

The assortment in the cafe is oriented towards quick bites. Here you can find:

• Hot and cold drinks: coffee, tea, bottled water, juices, and fizzy drinks.
• Light snacks: sandwiches, pastries, croissants, crisps, and chocolate.
• Sometimes local snacks may be on sale, for example, mas roshi (flatbreads with tuna) or other pastries with fish filling, but this is not guaranteed.

A full hot lunch or a wide selection of dishes is not offered here.

Passengers with specific dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free) are strongly recommended to carry food with them, as specialised options will likely not be on the menu. Prices at the airport are usually higher than outside, which is typical for island locations. The opening hours of the cafe are directly linked to the flight schedule—it is open during periods when there are flights.

Thus, for a quick snack before departure, the local cafe is a convenient option. If you are counting on a full lunch or dinner, it is better to have this at your resort or hotel before arriving at Maavarulu Airport.

Travelling through Maavarulu Airport in the city of Kooddoo is usually a quick and pleasant stage on the way to the paradise atolls. To ensure everything goes smoothly, use our tips to help you save time and peace of mind.

Arrival at the airport and check-in. Maavarulu is a small and modern domestic airport, so there are rarely large queues here. Nevertheless, it is recommended to arrive approximately 1.5–2 hours before your flight departure. This time will be sufficient to check in, drop off luggage, and pass security control without rushing. Keep your passport and electronic ticket at hand to speed up the process.

Seat selection and hand luggage. If possible, choose a window seat during online check-in. The bird's-eye views of the atolls are an unforgettable sight and a wonderful start or end to your holiday in the Maldives. It is prohibited to carry liquids exceeding 100 ml, sharp objects, and flammable substances in hand luggage. Please remember that bringing alcohol into the country is strictly prohibited, and this rule applies to all domestic movements.

Customs control and transfers. You pass the main customs inspection upon arrival at Male International Airport. Customs formalities at Maavarulu are minimal, as it is a domestic terminal. Most passengers arriving here transfer to speedboats to their resorts. Hotel representatives usually meet guests directly in the arrival hall, so finding your transfer will not be difficult.

Saving time and money. To save time, complete online check-in for your flight if your airline provides such an option. Prices for food and drinks at the airport may be higher than usual, so you can take a small snack with you. Always book your transfer to the hotel in advance—this is more reliable and often better value than arranging it on the spot.

In case of flight delay. Weather conditions in the Maldives can be changeable, which sometimes leads to flight delays, especially for seaplanes. If your flight is delayed, first contact your airline representative or travel agent. The staff of the resort seeing you off or meeting you will also help coordinate further actions and ensure a comfortable wait.