Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has concluded a special operation at Velana International Airport (VIA) to facilitate Umrah pilgrims travelling from the Maldives this month.

MACL said the operation ended after the departure of the final Umrah group on Thursday. More than 5,565 pilgrims travelled from the Maldives for Umrah during the month.

As part of the operation, groups of more than 100 pilgrims were offered pre-check-in services up to 24 hours before departure, allowing baggage check-in and boarding pass issuance to be completed in advance.

MACL also worked with Maldives Immigration to provide advance passport clearance, helping speed up the departure process.

Dedicated airport entrances, immigration and security screening counters were allocated for Umrah pilgrims, while Passenger Services, Terminal Services and Estate Security Services coordinated the operation.

Estate Security Services also managed traffic flow and taxi queues outside the terminal to ensure smooth access to the airport.

MACL said the initiative was aimed at ensuring a seamless travel experience for both Umrah pilgrims and other passengers despite the airport's high passenger volume. The company added that the operation enabled a smooth journey from check-in through to boarding.