The Maldives has commenced its first-ever direct Umrah flight service from Gan International Airport in Addu City to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, significantly improving pilgrimage travel opportunities for residents of the southern atolls.
The inaugural service was operated by the national airline, Maldivian, using its Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. The flight was jointly arranged by Maldivian and The Traveller, a travel agency providing specialised Umrah travel services. A total of 260 pilgrims, including children, departed on the inaugural journey, marking an important development in the expansion of religious travel services beyond the capital region.
The direct service provides greater convenience for pilgrims from Addu City, Fuvahmulah City and the southern atolls, reducing the need to travel to Velana International Airport before beginning their journey to Saudi Arabia. This is expected to make Umrah travel more accessible, efficient and comfortable, particularly for elderly pilgrims, families travelling with young children and residents who previously faced additional domestic travel requirements.
Maldivian presented special gifts to the pilgrims travelling on the inaugural flight in recognition of the occasion. The airline stated that the introduction of direct Umrah services from the southern Maldives represents the beginning of a broader effort to improve pilgrimage connectivity and indicated that similar flights are expected to continue in the future.
The Government of Maldives has been introducing a range of services and administrative arrangements aimed at making Hajj and Umrah travel more convenient for Maldivian citizens. The commencement of the Gan service forms part of these continuing efforts to decentralise essential services and ensure that residents across the country have improved access to religious travel opportunities.
Maldivian initially introduced direct Umrah flights from the Maldives on 22 July 2025, when more than 750 pilgrims travelled on the airline’s inaugural service. The national carrier operates its Umrah flights using the Airbus A330, which offers increased passenger capacity and enhanced comfort for long-distance journeys. Maldivian also operated dedicated flights to transport Maldivian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia during the 2025 Hajj season.
The number of Maldivians undertaking Umrah has increased considerably in recent years, with growing participation among young people and families. An increasing number of parents are also travelling with young children, reflecting the importance placed by Maldivian families on performing the pilgrimage together and providing younger generations with meaningful religious experiences.
The introduction of direct Umrah flights from Gan complements Maldivian’s wider efforts to strengthen air connectivity throughout the southern Maldives. The airline has established a dedicated Southern Connectivity Network under which scheduled domestic services operate between Addu, Fuvahmulah and the three regions of Huvadhoo Atoll. The network is designed to provide more reliable connections between the four southern atolls and improve access to international and specialised flight services operating from Gan International Airport.
The expansion of pilgrimage services comes alongside continued cooperation between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia in Islamic education and religious capacity development. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments of the Republic of Maldives and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Da’wah and Guidance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are jointly conducting the annual Maldives–Saudi Arabia Dhaura Programme in the Maldives.
The opening ceremony of the scholarly programme was attended by senior officials and representatives from both countries, together with Maldivian religious scholars, mosque imams and young khatibs. His Excellency Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Maldives, participated in the inauguration, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Islamic education and professional development initiatives in the Maldives.
The two-day programme focuses on the study of “Lum‘at al-I‘tiqad al-Hadi ila Sabil al-Rashad,” translated as “Sufficiency in Creed and Guidance to the Path of Righteousness,” authored by the eminent Islamic scholar Imam Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi, may Allah have mercy upon him.
The annual Dhaura Programme provides religious professionals with opportunities to deepen their Islamic knowledge, strengthen their scholarly capabilities and enhance their understanding of authentic Islamic teachings. It also supports the continuing professional development of scholars, imams and young khatibs who play an important role in providing religious guidance and serving communities throughout the Maldives.
The participation of Ambassador Al-Qahtani further demonstrates the commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to supporting Islamic education, scholarly development and religious capacity-building in the Maldives. The programme reflects the strong and enduring relationship between the two countries, particularly in the fields of Islamic affairs, education and the promotion of moderate and authentic Islamic values.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments expressed its sincere appreciation to His Excellency Ambassador Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani, the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Da’wah and Guidance for their continued cooperation and valuable assistance in facilitating the annual programme.
Together, the expansion of direct pilgrimage travel services and the continuation of bilateral scholarly programmes reflect the Maldives’ broader commitment to improving services for worshippers, strengthening Islamic knowledge and expanding cooperation with Saudi Arabia for the benefit of Maldivian communities across the country.
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