Egyptian pilgrims' return airlift from Saudi Arabia begins on Saturday

Ahram Online , Friday 30 Jun 2023

Starting Saturday, EgyptAir will airlift Egyptian pilgrims who completed the Hajj (greater pilgrimage) in Saudi Arabia, according to a statement by the national airline on Friday.

Egyptian pilgrims
File Photo: Egyptian pilgrims talk in front of a giant banner of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as they arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. AP

 

The national carrier will operate a total of 176 flights to transport lottery winners, social solidarity organizations, associations, tourism groups, and individual pilgrims, including 101 flights from Jeddah and 75 from Medina.

Starting on the 10th of June, 45,000 Egyptian pilgrims travelled to the Kingdom to perform Hajj this year.

EgyptAir announced that return trips for pilgrims from Palestine will run from the 9th to the 12th of July, and return trips for pilgrims from Bamako and Mali will run from the 3rd to the 17th of July.

Performing the Hajj pilgrimage is mandatory for all capable Muslims once in their lifetime, and is one of the five pillars of Islam.

The Hajj involves completing religious rites over five days in Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia.

Over 2 million pilgrims reportedly attended the 2023 pilgrimage season in Mecca and Medina.

Short link: