Hajj/Algeria: Opening of new airports to facilitate transport of pilgrims, first flight will be on this date!
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Director General of the National Office of Pilgrimage and Umrah (ONPO), Ahmed Slimani, said, on Thursday, that “the first flight of Algerian pilgrims to the Holy Places of Islam in Saudi Arabia is slated for May 31 on board the national airline Air Algérie, pending the scheduling of the second flight program which is being negotiated with the Saudi airline”.
Speaking on Channel 1 radio, Mr. Slimani said that “among the new measures taken by the public authorities is the opening of new airports to ease the burden and difficulties of the movement of pilgrims”.
He announced the organization of flights for the first time from the airports of Béchar, Laghouat and Adrar, in addition to the main traditional airports accredited in Oran, Algiers, Constantine, Annaba and Ouargla.
In this context, he pointed out that what distinguishes this-year Hajj “is the removal of the age restrictions and the return to the traditional quotas for Islamic missions, including Algeria, which obtained a full quota estimated at 41 300 pilgrims, with an estimated increase of 5,300 pilgrims”.
Earlier, the ONPO announced that the cost of Hajj for the 1444/2023 season was set at 770,000 dinars, including airfare. The Office has called on citizens eligible to perform Hajj this year to accomplish the administrative procedures before the date of May 15, 2023.
