Special Correspondent: The religious affairs ministry yesterday asked Hajj agencies and airlines strictly follow the Saudi government instructions over pilgrimage management as the first aircraft carrying pilgrims to fly on April 18.
"The ministry yesterday sent a letter to the Hajj agencies and the three airlines, engaged for pilgrim management and transport with specific directives," a ministry spokesman said.
According to the Saudi government`s instruction, Hajj agencies would need to send pilgrims under their management using the same airlines under a fixed ratio.
According to the directive the agencies would require to send 20 percent pilgrims mid stage of the pre-Hajj flights and rests are to be sent in first and last stage of the flight operations.
The ministry clearly stated that no agency can issue tickets less than 30 percent or more than 50 percent in the first or last phases of Hajj flights. The ministry also requested all concerned to ensure issuance of tickets and flight operations in line with prescribed instructions.