National airline signs agreements with 5 groups to carry pilgrims to Hajj

Island Aviation Services Ltd has signed agreements with five different Hajj groups to carry pilgrims to Hajj onboard the national airline "Maldivian" this year.

Managing Director of Island Aviation Services Abdul Haarish signed on behalf of the company At the signing ceremony was held in Nasandhura Palace Hotel today, . The five groups that signed agreements with Island Aviation are; Zaee Group Private Limited, Minaa Hajj Umra Private Limited, Albatross International Private Limited and Acro Private Limited. A total of groups have been permitted to arrange Hajj pilgrimage this year.

Answering a question by Sun Online at the ceremony today, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services Abdul Haarish said that the Maldivian is scheduled to make four trips to Saudi Arabia this year carrying Hajj pilgrims from the 5 different groups, in addition to one extra flight carrying pilgrims for Umra mid this year.

“The flight to take people for Umra is scheduled to go there on the 6th of July, the first Hajj flight will go during the month of September,” Haarish said.

Island Aviation Services Head of Administration Ali Nashaath told Sun Online today that the company has decided to give special discounts to those pilgrims carrying the identification cards for the Hajj groups. Nashaath said that the discounts will be extended to flights to their home islands.

The Hajj groups that signed the agreements said that they are delighted that the their pilgrims will be able to make the trip in the national airline and that a total of about 650 pilgrims will make the trip to Saudi Arabia through Maldivian this year.

Island Aviation Services will be using their new Airbus A320 for the trips, which has a total of 152 seats, including 14 business class seats.