The Maldives Hajj Corporation has decided to start its Umrah flights directly from Addu Gan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during the upcoming Ramadan.

The corporation stated that the price of the Umrah package covering the last 15 days of Ramadan and the six days of Shawwal is MVR 48,965. The flight is scheduled to depart directly from Gan to Jeddah on February 20 of next year.

The Hajj Corporation stated that this is a special trip organized to provide convenient travel arrangements for people in Addu and the southern atolls who wish to perform Umrah. While the corporation has also opened opportunities for those wishing to go for Umrah for the entire month of Ramadan, the price for that package is MVR 54,965.

According to the Hajj Corporation, slots for the trip can be secured through the corporation's Faheli portal and website. The deadline for payment is 1:00 PM on December 19 of this year.

The Hajj Corporation noted that its priority is always enhancing service quality and establishing a convenient environment for pilgrims. Its long-term aim is to sustainably conduct direct Umrah flights from Addu to Jeddah during July, December, and Ramadan. These direct flights were facilitated by national airline Maldivian launching wide-body operations, which enables southern residents to travel for Umrah without needing to transit through Malé.

Previously, an Addu-based Umrah group called "Dathuruveriya" operated the first-ever direct Umrah flight from Addu to Jeddah last July using Maldivian's A330 aircraft, with 110 pilgrims participating from Addu City.