Velana Airport Warns of Heavy Congestion as Hajj Pilgrims Return Home

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has urged travelers to plan their journeys carefully following a surge in passenger volume expected at Velana International Airport (VIA) as Hajj pilgrims return to the Maldives. In a public advisory, MACL warned that the airport will face significant pressure on its facilities, particularly within parking areas and surrounding traffic zones, as returning pilgrims and other travelers converge on the capital's main gateway over the coming days. The return operation is scheduled across four separate flights over four consecutive days. The first group, arriving via Saudi Airlines, is scheduled to touch down on June 5 at 2:00 pm. This will be followed by a Maldivian flight on June 7 at 5:40 pm, another Saudi Airlines service on June 8 at 2:00 pm, and a final Maldivian flight on June 9 at 12:00 pm. To mitigate the expected gridlock, airport authorities strongly recommend that travelers avoid using private vehicles. Instead, MACL suggests utilizing the airport ferry service or the dedicated airport bus to minimize traffic congestion and avoid potential delays in reaching the terminal. Every year, the Maldives is allocated a quota of 1,000 pilgrims to perform Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. The government facilitates the pilgrimage based on a queue system for those who have completed the required payments under this annual quota. The advisory comes as part of MACL's efforts to ensure a smooth transit experience for both the returning spiritual travelers and the general public during this peak period.