Villa International Airport

Villa International Airport Maamigili[2] (IATA: VAM[3], ICAO: VRMV), also known as Maamigili Airport, is an airport in the Maldives. It is located on the island of Maamigili in Alif Dhaal Atoll.

Villa International Airport

ވިލާ ބައިނަލްއަޤުވާމީ ވައިގެބަނދަރު
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorVilla Group
ServesMaamigili, Alif Dhaal Atoll, Maldives
Hub forFlyme
Elevation AMSL7 ft / 2 m
Coordinates03°28′14″N 072°50′09″E
Map
VAM
Location in Maldives
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
09/27 1,800 5,905 Asphalt
Source:[1]

The airport was developed by Maldivian business tycoon Qasim Ibrahim, who grew up in Maamigili, as a project to develop the infrastructure and facilities of the island. Developed and operated by his company, Villa Group, the airport also opened up direct transportation facilities to two of their flagship resorts located on adjacent islands.

The opening of the airport coincided with Villa's entry into the aviation industry, the founding of a new airline Villa Air (operating as Flyme), to operate from the airport.[4]

The airport opened on October 1, 2011 as a domestic airport. In 2013, it was upgraded to international airport standards.

Villa Airport was downgraded to domestic status by the government for a period of 23 days in August 2014 over "security concerns".[5]

In January 2015, Flyme started seaplane operations out of Villa Airport.[6]

Facilities

The airport resides at an elevation of 6 feet (2 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 09/27 with a concrete surface measuring 1,800 by 30 metres (5,906 ft × 98 ft).[1]

Airlines and destinations
AirlinesDestinations
Flyme Dharavandhoo, Fuvahmulah, Gan, Hanimaadhoo, Kaadedhdhoo, Kadhdhoo, Kooddoo, Malé

References
  1. Airport information for Villa Airport Maamigili (IATA: VAM, ICAO: VRMV) at Great Circle Mapper.
  2. "List of Aerodromes from Maldives Civil Aviation Authority". Air Navigation & Aerodromes. Maldives Civil Aviation Authority. 2015. Retrieved Feb 15, 2015.
  3. "IATA Airport Code Search (VAM: Maamigili Island)". International Air Transport Association. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  4. Jameel, Abdullah (Oct 1, 2011). "Maamigili airport opens with 'Flyme' airlines entering into service". Haveeru Online. Retrieved Feb 15, 2015.
  5. "Maamigili Airport returns to international status". Minivan News. Minivan News. Sep 17, 2014. Retrieved Feb 15, 2015.
  6. Ahmed, Zifleen (Jan 19, 2015). "FlyMe officially begins seaplane operations". Vaguthu. Vaguthu. Retrieved Feb 15, 2015.

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