The first group of 281 haj pilgrims from the east coast have arrived at the Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu at 7am today.

They arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule on a Malaysia Airlines flight from the King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at 5.30pm Saudi Arabian time or 10.30pm local time.

Kuala Terengganu Station operations director Azillah Itam said from that number, 273 passengers were haj pilgrims while eight others were Tabung Haji staff.

“Our journey was smooth and all passengers look excited to go home.

“There are four more flights to Terengganu each day at 7.20am until this Sunday,” he told reporters after welcoming the haj pilgrims this morning.    

- Bernama