Inauguration of the First Air Flights to Transport Pilgrims through Sana’a International Airport
today, the Ministries of Transport and Guidance and Hajj and Umrah Affairs launched the first flights for the Pilgrims through Sanaa International Airport to the Holy Land.
The first flight of Yemen Airways left Sanaa Airport heading to the city of Jeddah, carrying 175 pilgrims to the Holy House of God to perform Hajj rituals for the current year 1445 AH.
The second flight took off from Sanaa Airport with approximately 131 pilgrims on board.
The Minister of Transport in the caretaker government, Abdul-Wahab Al-Durrah, and Al-Irshad and Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Najeeb Al-Ajji, inspected the progress of procedures and transactions for pilgrims’ travel in the departure lounge at Sana’a Airport, the facilities provided to them, and the speed and completion of transactions with high professionalism in a way that guarantees the security and safety of pilgrims.
Minister Al-Durrah confirmed that sending pilgrims through Sana’a International Airport proves the extent of its technical, professional and technical operational readiness around the clock in accordance with international conditions and requirements.
He pointed out that eight thousand and 200 male and female pilgrims will be transported via 44 flights from Sanaa Airport to the city of Jeddah via the national carrier, Yemen Airways.
Minister Al-Durrah stressed the interest and keenness of the Revolutionary Leadership and the Supreme Political Council in transporting pilgrims through Sanaa Airport instead of far away airports, due to what travelers and pilgrims suffer due to the rugged, unsafe and unsuitable roads for travel.
This year was considered the actual inauguration of the grouping of pilgrims due to the large number of more than eight thousand pilgrims and early and distinguished preparations with the cooperation of all concerned parties.
For his part, Minister Al-Ajji confirmed that great facilities were provided to the guests of God by air and land in implementation of the directives of the Leader of the Revolution and the President of the Supreme Political Council.
He pointed out the obstacles that surprised everyone by canceling direct flights from Sanaa Airport to Medina without any justifications or reasons, which causes a burden and difficulties on pilgrims.
In turn, Deputy Minister of Guidance, Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Fouad Naji, expressed his hope that pilgrims’ flights from Sana’a Airport would be the beginning of completely lifting the siege on the airport.
He praised the joint cooperation between the Ministries of Transport and Guidance, which resulted positively in the shipment of more than eight thousand pilgrims through Sana’a International Airport.
Meanwhile, Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yemen Airways, Khalil Jahaf, confirmed that with combined efforts and cooperation of the Ministries of Transport and Guidance, the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Airlines, the difficulties were overcome.
He stated that today more than 600 male and female pilgrims will be transported via four flights from Sanaa Airport to the city of Jeddah, out of eight thousand and 200 male and female pilgrims.
For his part, Undersecretary of the Civil Aviation Authority, Raed Jabal, explained that the early preparations and arrangements directly contributed to the success of the dispersal operation.
Sanaa Airport Director Khaled Al-Shayef confirmed the airport’s operational, technical and professional readiness to receive and depart all flights around the clock in accordance with international conditions and requirements and with complete professionalism and impartiality.
The inauguration was attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Guidance for the Guidance Sector, Saleh Al-Khawlani, and for Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Abdul Rahman Al-Naami, and a number of officials in the two ministries and airlines.
