2009 Pilgrimage for thousands of Algerian Hajjis in jeopardy

The showdown between the Saudi civil aviation authorities and the Algerian airline company “Air Algérie” is still the order of the day in the wake of the Saudi decision to authorize only 86 flights out of the 108 scheduled ones for the transport of Algerian pilgrims to the holy places of Islam in Saudi Arabia. 

• The Saudi move comes in the wake of the decision by “Air Algérie” to allow flights to Saudi Arabia from inland Algerian cities including Chlef, Tébéssa, Jijel, Laghouat and Béjaia on small aircraft having only a 150 – seat capacity.
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• The Saudi civil aviation authorities argued that the airports of Djeddah and Medina were already overcrowded and could not thereby receive more than 3 daily flights from Algeria.
• A total of 36.000 Algerian pilgrims are expected to fulfill their Hadj  or pilgrimage this year. 
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• In a statement to the National Radio yesterday, the General Manager of “Air Algérie” Wahid Bouabdallah expressed dismay at the untoward Saudi decision stressing that it had woefully altered a flights schedule previously agreed upon by the 2 sides.
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• Such a decision, he said, puts in jeopardy the 2009 pilgrimage to the holy places of Islam of a total of 4.400 Algerian pilgrims.
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• He added that this vexed issue should be swiftly dealt with by the highest authorities of the 2 countries for a salutary breakthrough.
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• Wahid Bouabdallah finally pointed out that “Air Algérie” was ready to charter “Boeing 747 planes” for the transport of the 4.400 remaining Algerian pilgrims despite the enormous financial package entailed by such an endeavour.
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