Hajj season starts after 2-year hiatus

By Mohamed Attia

After a two-year hiatus due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, during the first few days, the first Hajj trips for this year will be launched, amid strict precautionary measures to preserve the safety of pilgrims, while adhering to social distancing distances.

EgyptAir, headed by pilot Amr Aboul-Enein, had announced the prices of Hajj tickets for this year, which are scheduled to start at 16,990 Egyptian pounds for the Cairo/Jeddah/Cairo line on economy class, and the price of 18,990 Egyptian pounds for business class.

The company also decided that the prices of Hajj tickets for EgyptAir flights on the Cairo/Madinah itinerary and back from Jeddah/Cairo or vice versa start from 17,990 Egyptian pounds for economy class and 19,990 Egyptian pounds for business class.

EgyptAir also confirmed the instructions issued by the competent authorities in Saudi Arabia regarding the health requirements that must be met by travellers to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj rituals for the current year 1443 AH/2022 which is that the pilgrim must be of the age group less than 65 years old.

The pilgrim must also be immunised with basic doses of Covid-19 vaccines approved by the Ministry of Health, as well as submitting a negative test result (PCR) for the coronavirus for a sample taken within 72 hours before the date of departure to Saudi Arabia.

On the other hand, Cairo International Airport, headed by Magdy Ishaq, head of the Cairo Airport Company, and on the instructions of Engineer Mohamed Saeed Mahrous, head of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, prepared to receive the Hajj season this year, where a coordination meeting was held that included a number of leaders of the Cairo Airport Company and the various bodies operating at the airport.

The Ihram area in the airport’s seasonal flights building, designated for Hajj and Umrah trips for EgyptAir, was also equipped, in addition to lighting detection and maintenance work for all baggage belts and preparing the tent in front of the terminal for recipients.

Also, work teams were formed to assist pilgrims and people with special needs while adhering to all necessary precautions to preserve the safety of pilgrims.

The internal radio was also equipped and an operating room operated for 24 hours, to follow up on flight schedules and problems that arise and to work on solving them immediately.

The Quarantine Department at Cairo Airport is witnessing intensive preparations, under the supervision of Dr Hazem Hussein, Director of Quarantine, to receive the pilgrimage season and sign a medical examination for pilgrims, raise their awareness and follow up their health, before traveling to the Holy Land, and all vaccinations for pilgrims have been provided.

A state of emergency has been declared among all workers, whether doctors, paramedics or administrators, in preparation for the start of the Hajj season, and all necessary facilities for the pilgrims have been put in place.