ADDIS ABABA– The Ethiopian Airlines disclosed that it is going to commence this year’s first Hajj flight next Friday.
Briefing journalists on hajj operation 2019 at a Joint Press Conference by the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council and Ethiopian Airlines Group yesterday, the Ethiopian Airlines Group said it has made all the necessary preparations to make this year’s Hajj Operations a success and this year’s first 2019 Hajj flight would have 268 passengers on the board out of the total 10,000 Ethiopian pilgrims.
The Ethiopian Airlines Group prepared 19 flights to transport the Ethiopian pilgrims and the number of flights will be depending on the number of travellers, it was learnt.
As reported over 30 supporters those speak different local languages will go to three places of Saudi Arabia – Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah – to support the pilgrims.
Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian
Airlines Group, Tewolde Gebremariam, said that Ethiopian Airlines Group is happy to give this special chartered service to Ethiopian Muslim community, who are traveling to the Islamic holy land of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to fulfill their religious duty.
“It is our national duty to ensure that they are able to get this service from their national carrier in the best possible conditions”, he said. Adding, the Ethiopian Airlines Group is ready to give convenient service to pilgrims in accordance with their religious needs.
Member of Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Dr. Anwar Mustefa, said that over 10, 000 thousand pilgrims have registered for Hajj 2019 and the council is negotiating with Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Hajj, to bring the number of Ethiopian Pilgrims up to 15,000.
“According to the agreement half of the Ethiopian pilgrims go to Saudi Arabia by using Saudi Arabia Airlines. Accordingly, nearly 5,000 to 7,500 Ethiopian pilgrims are expected to fly Ethiopian airlines”, he said.
The Ethiopian Herald July 9/2019
BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
