The first group of Maldivian pilgrims will depart for Saudi Arabia on 15 May, travelling on four scheduled flights, according to Maldives Hajj Corporation.
The corporation said an advance team will leave ahead of the pilgrims to finalise arrangements for the pilgrimage.
Two of the four flights will be operated by the national airline Maldivian, while the remaining two will be run by Saudia. The Islamic ministry has previously said that 500 of the 1,000 pilgrims will travel on Maldivian this year.
Flight schedule
- First flight: Departs on May 15 at 6:55 am
- Second flight: Departs on May 17 at 10:05 pm
- Third flight: Departs on May 18 at 6:55 am
- Fourth flight: Departs on May 19 at 12:05 am
Pilgrims are expected to stay in Saudi Arabia for 22 days, with return flights beginning from 5 June after the completion of the pilgrimage.
The Day of Arafat, the central rite of the Hajj, is expected to fall on 26 May this year, based on the current lunar calendar.
As in previous years, Maldivian pilgrims will travel under the Makkah Route Initiative, which allows immigration procedures to be completed before departure.
The initiative enables pilgrims to bypass immigration queues on arrival in Saudi Arabia and travel directly to their accommodation, with luggage delivered separately.
