The first group of Maldivians traveling for the Hajj pilgrimage this year departed for Saudi Arabia today.
This time, Maldivians are traveling for Hajj on four flights, two of which are trips operated by the national airline, Maldivian. The remaining two flights are operated by Saudia.
Out of the 1,000 quotas received for carrying people for Hajj from the Maldives, 500 people will travel on the flights of Maldivian airline. The remaining 500 people will be carried on the flights of Saudia.
The 242 people who departed today at 3:25 PM are those who left for Hajj via Saudia.
As pilgrims are scheduled to depart today, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, Velana International Airport will be very congested. MACL has requested the use of ferries or buses, as airport parking and traffic will also experience high congestion.
The Hajj Corporation previously stated that Maldivian pilgrims will stay in Saudi Arabia for 22 days this time. After completing Hajj, Maldivians will begin departing to return to the Maldives starting from the fifth of next month.
As the calendar currently stands, 9 Dhul Hijjah, which is the Day of Arafah (Hajj Day), falls on the 26th of May.
Similar to last year, people traveling for Hajj from the Maldives this year will also go through the arrangements of the Makkah Route.
The Makkah Route initiative, which provides numerous easing benefits in completing airport and immigration phases when going for Hajj, is an opportunity given to countries where at least 20,000 people go for Hajj at once; however, Saudi Arabia has granted this opportunity to the Maldives, where 1,000 people go for Hajj annually.
The Makkah Route Initiative is a program that arranges for pilgrims to clear all immigration requirements of both countries at their home country's airport before departing.
This arranges for pilgrims to go directly to their hotels without having to wait at Jeddah airport immigration, and the pilgrims' luggage will also be delivered directly to the hotels.
