The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has begun the repatriation of Egyptian tourism pilgrims following the completion of Hajj rituals for the 1446 Hijri season. Return flights officially commenced Monday from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
As of now, 28 flights have departed, carrying approximately 2,200 Egyptian pilgrims back home. The return operation will continue over the coming days, with additional flights scheduled from both King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah. Land returns for pilgrims who traveled by road are also underway.
Samia Sami, Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies Affairs, Head of the Official Tourism Hajj Mission, and Chair of the Higher Committee for Hajj and Umrah, stated that a total of 33,172 pilgrims from the tourism sector are expected to return via air this season.
She added that tourism companies began transferring pilgrims from Mina to Mecca two days ago in preparation for the Farewell Tawaf, marking the end of their Hajj journey. Return flights are being organized in phases to ensure the safe and orderly return of all pilgrims.
Sami praised the high level of organization during this year’s tourism Hajj, highlighting the successful implementation of transport and logistics plans for moving pilgrims to the holy sites in accordance with official guidelines.
To facilitate the repatriation process, two subcommittees from the tourism Hajj mission have been deployed at the Jeddah and Madinah airports to oversee the return flights and provide necessary support to ensure the comfort and safety of all pilgrims.
Meanwhile, other ministry teams stationed across Saudi Arabia continue to monitor the repatriation operations around the clock. They are also following up on the well-being of pilgrims still in Mecca and Madinah as they complete the final stages of their tourism programs before departure.
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