Malé Ibrahim Nasir International Airport Guide (MLE) The larger of two international airports in the Maldives, Malé Ibrahim Nasir International Airport serves Malé Atoll, which is home to the country’s capital Malé. Our Malé Ibrahim Nasir International Airport guide includes information on facilities, how to get to the airport and nearby accommodation. Maldivian government has announced that they will be renaming the Malé International Airport to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, from July 26th onwards. July 26th is celebrated as the official Independence Day of Maldives. The Airport was constructed during the Presidency of Ibrahim Nasir, and was initially named Hulhulé Airport. The airport was renamed to Malé International Airport in November 11th, 1981 by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. “The Cabinet decided to rename the Airport because the airport began with former President Ibrahim Nasir,” Transport Minister of Maldives Adil Saleem said. Ibrahim Nasir was sworn in as the first President of the Republic of Maldives on 11th November 1968. He is widely credited with modernising the long isolated and nearly unknown Maldives and opening them up to the rest of the world. His foremost achievements included that of bringing the Maldives to the United Nations even with the opposition of some nations that felt awkward at including a nation of such a small size. He laid the foundations of the nation by modernising the fisheries industry with mechanized vessels and starting the tourism industry.