Maldivian operates 26 Hajj and Umrah flights, carries 6,073 pilgrims over the past year

National carrier Maldivian operated 26 Hajj and Umrah charter flights between May 2025 and May 2026, transporting 6,073 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, the airline said on Tuesday.

Four of the flights were dedicated Hajj charters carrying a combined 1,016 pilgrims. Those passengers are currently in Saudi Arabia performing the rites of the 2026 Hajj and are scheduled to return to the Maldives after the pilgrimage concludes.

The announcement coincides with the Day of Arafah, the most sacred day of the Hajj, which falls on Tuesday. Eid al-Adha is expected to be observed on Wednesday, May 27. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation has set the Hajj 2026 return flight window from May 30 to June 30, the period during which Maldivian's pilgrim charters are expected to bring the 1,016 passengers home.

Operations and passenger volumes

Maldivian said the 6,073 passengers carried over the 12-month period reflect both Hajj and Umrah operations. Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, can be performed throughout most of the year, while Hajj is restricted to specific dates in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.

The four Hajj charters operated this season carried an average of 254 passengers per flight, according to figures provided by the airline.

Maldivian did not specify the breakdown of Umrah flights or the destination airports used across the operation. Pilgrim charters typically operate to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina, the two gateways used for arrivals to the holy cities.

Carrier's positioning

In a statement, Maldivian described itself as the national airline of choice for pilgrims, citing what it called the comfort of travelling with a domestic carrier and the convenience of direct scheduling for group travel.

"Maldivian ensures safe, timely, and well-coordinated operations," the airline said, adding that it deployed dedicated staff and tailored services for the special flights.

The carrier said its accessibility for pilgrim groups, combined with direct connectivity, was a factor in passenger demand. The claims relating to passenger preference were made by the airline and were not independently verified by Maldives Business Review.

Background

Maldivian is operated by Island Aviation Services Ltd, a state-owned enterprise. The airline serves domestic routes across the atolls and operates regional international services, including charter operations for the annual pilgrimage season.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able. The Maldives, a Muslim-majority country, allocates an annual pilgrim quota in coordination with Saudi authorities. Maldivian pilgrims travel under quotas managed by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and licensed Hajj operators.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah expanded operational planning for the 2026 season earlier this year, with visa issuance for foreign pilgrims beginning on February 8.