This year's hajj season looks bleak for airlines, reports Amirah Ibrahim
Restrictions on hajj pilgrims seem to accrue daily, thanks to growing concerns over the spread of swine flu. None of which is good news for EgyptAir. The hajj season is usually the national carrier's busiest, and most profitable, time of year.
Earlier this week Egypt's civil aviation authorities received a list of new restrictions set by Saudi Arabia, including the demand that all pilgrims acquire a certificate showing they have received a seasonal flu vaccination at least two weeks before their flights before applying for a visa.
Emad Sallam, head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, says Egyptian pilgrims will not be allowed to embark on flights unless they can show the certificate.
"Both the national carrier and Saudi Airlines, the two carriers which monopolise the trade, have received similar instructions. Pilgrims will not be able to purchase flight tickets in the absence of the required health certificate."
Additional restrictions include a blanket ban on pilgrims bringing food and beverages from their home countries.
"Thermal cameras will scan passengers’ at all Egyptian airports. Any passenger with a temperature exceeding 38 degrees will be refused permission to board and be tested for swine flu by a medical team," added Sallam.
Over two million Muslims travel to Mecca on hajj each year. This year, though, with concern over swine flu growing, the number of Egyptian pilgrims is expected to fall by between 30 to 40 per cent.
"This year we saw a 30 per cent fall in omra pilgrims which has badly effected our business," says Hussein Massoud, the Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company. "We have had to refund LE60 million in ticket sales to customers prevented from leaving by government restrictions."
In July Arab health ministers recommended a ban on pilgrims above the age of 65 or younger than 12. Egypt began implementing the ban last month.
http://newageislam.com/new-restrictions-on-haj-pilgrims/islamic-world-news/d/1865
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10:47 PM
Moderate Islamist here
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