Maldivian suspends Umrah flights to Jeddah due to airspace disruptions

Maldivian has postponed its scheduled Umrah flights from Malé to Jeddah due to ongoing unrest in the Middle East and security concerns. The suspension was announced in a joint press statement by the Maldives Hajj Corporation and Maldivian. The airline said it is closely monitoring the security situation in the region, including Saudi Arabia, and noted that the airspace has deteriorated significantly over the past 24 hours, describing the situation as dangerous and compromising passenger safety and security. International aviation authorities have reported significant obstacles in using Jeddah airspace, leading many airlines to suspend flights to Saudi Arabia. The Hajj Corporation and Maldivian apologized to Umrah pilgrims affected by the suspension, emphasizing that passenger safety is their top priority. The Hajj Corporation assured that once the airspace stabilizes, all individuals who have paid for the flights will be offered the opportunity to perform Umrah without any additional cost. New travel dates will be communicated once regional airspace stability is ensured.