Hajj Corporation: Delays will be minimized, incentives maximized with Saudia

Maldives Hajj Corporation has said that flight delays would be minimized and additional incentives provided with the agreement made with Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) to transport hajj pilgrims this year.

Huge delays materialized last year with Mega Maldives transporting pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia in just one flight.

A delay in one flight resulted in delays in all other flights, leading to pilgrims having to spend a long time in waiting.

Managing Director of Hajj Corporation, Yameen Idhrees spoke to “Sun” on Monday and said that the airline would be using four flights to transport the 1,000 Hajj Corporation pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, and three flights to bring them back to Maldives.

Yameen also said that a separate terminal would be used for Saudia passengers.

“Delays are inevitable given the situation of the airport over there, but we believe it will be better than last time,” he said.

The biggest problem faced by pilgrims is the issue of insufficient baggage allowance, resulting in them having to leave some items behind.

The baggage allowance has been increased from 30 kg to 40 kg for pilgrims.