The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Sunday asked Hajj agencies and airlines to strictly follow instructions issued by the Saudi government regarding pilgrimage management, as the first Hajj flight is scheduled to depart on 18 April.
A ministry spokesperson said a letter containing specific directives was sent to all Hajj agencies and the three airlines engaged in pilgrim management and transportation.
According to the Saudi government’s instructions, Hajj agencies will have to send pilgrims under their management through the same airlines, maintaining a fixed ratio.
The directive requires agencies to send 20 per cent of pilgrims during the mid-stage of the pre-Hajj flight operations, while the remaining pilgrims must be transported during the first and last stages.
The ministry made it clear that no agency will be allowed to issue less than 30 per cent or more than 50 per cent of tickets in either the first or the last phases of Hajj flights.
It also asked all concerned to ensure that ticket issuance and flight operations are carried out strictly in line with the prescribed instructions.
