The Maldives Hajj Corporation has formalised a series of bilateral agreements with Saudi authorities and service providers, reinforcing its operational framework for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Signed during the 2025 Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, the accords aim to enhance both transportation and medical support for Maldivian pilgrims.
Senior representatives of the Hajj Corporation were in attendance at the conference, which convenes regional stakeholders to coordinate and innovate around Hajj logistics and welfare services.
One of the principal outcomes was the restructuring of air transport arrangements. The Hajj Corporation entered into a formal agreement with Saudi Airlines to share responsibility for the carriage of Maldivian pilgrims.
Until this year, Saudi Airlines had been solely responsible for transporting all pilgrims travelling under the corporation’s mandate. Under the revised arrangement, 50 percent of pilgrims will continue to travel via Saudi Airlines, while the remaining half were transported by the national carrier, Maldivian, during the most recent Hajj season.
The corporation also secured a healthcare partnership with a hospital operated by the Al Abeer Medical Group in Saudi Arabia. The agreement ensures access to medical services for Maldivian pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage period.
This collaboration is already operational. During this year’s Hajj, the hospital provided medical assistance to pilgrims under the corporation’s care. The arrangement is regarded as a critical component of the corporation’s commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of its pilgrims.
Tasked with managing the 1,000-pilgrim quota officially allocated to the Maldives, the corporation continues to pursue service improvements that uphold both logistical efficiency and spiritual dignity.
Recent upgrades implemented during the 2025 pilgrimage include the enhancement of tent facilities for Maldivian pilgrims during their stay in Mina. The corporation is also utilising high-speed train services between Makkah and Madinah to facilitate intercity travel. With these foundational agreements now in place, preparations for the upcoming Hajj season are underway.