Malaysia Airlines subsidiary prepares for 20,000 pilgrims
Malaysia Airlines will begin A380 service for pilgrims July 4. This is a picture of the airline's A380 departing Heathrow Airport
Amal, the Hajj and Umrah arm of Malaysia Airlines, is set to transport up to 20,000 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj season. The first flight is scheduled to depart July 4 from KL International Airport (KLIA) to Jeddah and Madinah.
Amal will have up to 40 flights between Kuala Lumpur and Jeddah, as well as Madinah, on the A380-800 for the first Hajj phase from July 4-August 5. The airline will also be operating up to 70 feeder flights, utilizing its 737-800 aircraft, to transport pilgrims from Alor Setar, Pulau Pinang, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Kuala Terengganu to KLIA.
"It is an absolute privilege to be able to transport pilgrims to perform their Hajj for the upcoming season,” said Chief Executive Officer of Amal by Malaysia Airlines, Hazman Hilmi. “Amal by Malaysia Airlines will be utilizing the spacious A380-800 aircraft, configured with unique pilgrim centric in-flight features such as Talbiyah, Doa Musaffir, Azan on board, Tazkirah on board and Miqat announcement to ensure that the pilgrimage experience begins the moment they step into the aircraft.”
Hilmi said Hajj pilgrims are usually the more elderly and 70% of them are flying for the first time.
The second phase of the operations will commence on 18 August 18 and will be completed September 12.
