The third group of Maldivian pilgrims has returned to the Maldives after completing this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, with 271 pilgrims arriving on the third return flight on Monday.

The flight departed from Madinah and is the final Saudia-operated Hajj return flight scheduled to arrive in the Maldives this year. According to the Maldivian Hajj Mission, the flight departed Saudi Arabia at 9:00 a.m. local time and arrived at Velana International Airport at 8:40 p.m.

Pilgrims were welcomed upon arrival at the airport, where arrangements had been made to facilitate their return. Personnel from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and other relevant authorities assisted pilgrims with transportation and baggage handling.

The final group of Maldivian pilgrims is scheduled to return on Wednesday on a Maldivian flight. The flight is expected to depart Saudi Arabia at 4:00 a.m. local time and arrive in the Maldives shortly after midnight.

With the arrival of the final flight, all Maldivian pilgrims who travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year will have returned home. Pilgrims spent approximately three weeks in Saudi Arabia, performing Hajj in Makkah and visiting Madinah as part of their pilgrimage.