Over 5,500 Umrah pilgrims departed through Velana International Airport (VIA) this month, with Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) completing a special operation to manage the increased passenger traffic.

The operation, which concluded with the departure of the final group on Thursday, facilitated the travel of more than 5,565 pilgrims while allowing normal airport operations to continue throughout the period.

To ease congestion during peak departure days, pilgrims travelling in groups of more than 100 completed check-in procedures a day before their flights. The arrangement included baggage acceptance, boarding pass issuance and advance passport clearance in coordination with Maldives Immigration.

Dedicated facilities were also set aside for Umrah passengers, including separate terminal access, immigration counters and security screening lanes, while additional traffic management measures were introduced around the airport to improve the flow of vehicles and passengers.

MACL said the operation was carried out with the support of Maldives Immigration, airlines, travel agencies, Umrah groups and other airport stakeholders.