The second batch of Hajj pilgrims from the Maldives left for Saudi Arabia Thursday.
Of the 3 groups that left Thursday, the first group of 266 pilgrims, who booked their Hajj tours through Maldives Hajj Corporation Ltd. (MHC), departed around 2:15pm.
The other two groups that left were 200 pilgrims from Za’ee Hajj Group and 99 pilgrims from Acora Group.
Private Hajj tour operators said they have scheduled their outbound flights for August 18, 20, 21, 22 and 23, with travel arrangements made in collaboration with Maldivian, Sri Lankan Airlines, Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
The Ministry licensed 5 private operators to organise Hajj tours this year, with each receiving a quota of 200 pilgrims, while MHC was allotted a quota of 1,000 pilgrims.
The Saudi Arabian Government granted a Hajj quota of 2,000 pilgrims to the Maldives this year.