By Mohamed Attia
EgyptAir launched on Saturday the first flights to transport pilgrims to the Holy lands for performing the rituals of pilgrimage.
It is scheduled that the flights for Medina and Jeddah will continue until June 23, in order to transport the pilgrims of the lottery, civil society associations and tourism companies.
to the holy sites. The return deadline begins on July 1, and the Hajj season ends on July 13.
EgyptAir has announced the instructions for the travel of pilgrims to the sacred House of God for performing the rituals of Hajj for the current year.
The company also stressed the necessity of following up the health procedures and submitting the required certificates. It also asserted the need to adhere to the timeframes written on the travel tickets. Pilgrims should be present 8 hours before the departure time of the return flights in Jeddah airport and 6 hours at the Madinah Airport, according to the directives of EgyptAir.
The company also warned pilgrims not to bring sacks and baggage made of cloth according to the instructions of the Saudi authorities. It is allowed to carry two bags weighing 23 kilogrammes each, and a handbag weighing 8 kilogrammes, provided that the excess weight is collected in cash. The Saudi authorities allowed the pilgrims to take one 5-litre bottle of Zamzam water.
Meanwhile, EgyptAir started operating an air bridge from Bamako airport, the capital of Mali, directly to Medina airport, to transport around 7,400 pilgrims aboard 24 special flights using the company’s latest model, the Boeing Dreamliner B787-9, known as a dream plane, equipped with all amenities and luxury.
The move came within the framework of expanding the African market, and in line with directives from Minister of Civil Aviation Lieutenant General Pilot Mohamed Abbas.
These flights will continue until June 18. The return date will start from Jeddah airport directly to Bamako airport on July 3.
Chairman of EgyptAir Airlines Pilot Mohamed Moussa said that this season witnesses the largest operation to transport pilgrims from Bamako, which reflects the confidence of Mali’s government in EgyptAir as official air carrier.
It is also the first time that these flights are operated directly from Mali to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, saving time and effort for the guests of Rahman (the Merciful and the Most Compassionate).
The flight takes about 7 hours after reducing the transit and waiting period. This made EgyptAir a preferable company for Malians among many African airlines.
Chairman of the EgyptAir Holding Company Yehia Zakaria has signed a contract with Palestinian Airlines to operate special flights from Cairo airport to Jeddah and Madina airports to transport about 3,000 Palestinian pilgrims during June and July, in coordination with all concerned authorities, to provide the best service to the pilgrims.
In the meantime, the Cairo Airport Company, headed by Magdy Ishaq, announced a state of emergency inside the travel and arrival halls in preparation for the launch of Hajj flights, especially in the seasonal hall designated for Hajj and Umrah flights for EgyptAir, and Terminal No. 2, designated for Saudi Airlines flights.
EgyptAir sources stated that all the authorities in charge of the hajj season are in continuous meeting to provide all means of comfort for the pilgrims during their sacred journey, in addition to forming working teams to help the elderly and people with special needs during their performance of pilgrimage rituals.
EgyptAir has also allocated and equipped a special area for ihram, in addition to inspecting the lighting system and doing maintenance for all baggage belts.
Ishaq made inspection tours inside the arrival and departure halls of Cairo airport to follow up all preparations for the hajj season, in coordination with all the subsidiaries, taking part in organising hajj season every year.
EgyptAir has also allocated an operation room working around the clock to follow up the travel of pilgrims and solve any problems inside the arrival and departure halls.
The Quarantine Department at Cairo International Airport is witnessing intensive preparations for the hajj season, through conducting a comprehensive medical check-up on pilgrims, before travelling to the holy sites.
EgyptAir has declared a state of extreme emergency among all workers, whether doctors, paramedics or administrators, with all necessary facilities in place for the service of pilgrims, especially the elderly and people with special needs.
Booklets and leaflets will also be distributed among pilgrims, to make them aware of health guidelines during their journey in the sacred places.
