ID :
177726
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 13:34
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http://m.oananews.org//node/177726
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THAI operates special flights for pilgrims to Mecca
BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) - Dulyapong Sukhanusart, vice president for alliance and commercial development of Thai Airways International (THAI), said his airline planned 60 chartered flights on Airbus 330-300 aircraft to serve Thai Muslims attending the hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, from September 29 to November 28 this year.
The flights can carry 9,000 passengers, a capacity increase by 73.5 per cent from last year. Ninety-three agents certified by the Religious Affairs Department can start reserving tickets from May 1 onwards.
Dulyapong admitted ticket prices have increased by 1-3 per cent this year due to high fuel costs and some instances when flights operate without sufficient number of passengers. Return flights from Hat Yai to Medina, and from Jeddah to Hat Yai, have been priced at 48,500 baht. Round trips from Phuket to Medina, Jeddah to Phuket, Krabi to Medina, and from Jeddah to Krabi, have been priced at 47,500 baht. The fare from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Medina, and from Jeddah to Suvarnabhumi Airport, rests at 45,500 baht.
Each passenger will be allowed to carry up to five liters of holy water called “ZamZam” aboard flights on their return trips. The water must however, be contained in transparent and sealed plastic bags.
Dulyapong also said that his airline could deploy more flights if the number of pilgrims exceeded the capacities of the prepared chartered flights. So far, over 20,000 pilgrims have already booked tickets. (TNA)
The flights can carry 9,000 passengers, a capacity increase by 73.5 per cent from last year. Ninety-three agents certified by the Religious Affairs Department can start reserving tickets from May 1 onwards.
Dulyapong admitted ticket prices have increased by 1-3 per cent this year due to high fuel costs and some instances when flights operate without sufficient number of passengers. Return flights from Hat Yai to Medina, and from Jeddah to Hat Yai, have been priced at 48,500 baht. Round trips from Phuket to Medina, Jeddah to Phuket, Krabi to Medina, and from Jeddah to Krabi, have been priced at 47,500 baht. The fare from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Medina, and from Jeddah to Suvarnabhumi Airport, rests at 45,500 baht.
Each passenger will be allowed to carry up to five liters of holy water called “ZamZam” aboard flights on their return trips. The water must however, be contained in transparent and sealed plastic bags.
Dulyapong also said that his airline could deploy more flights if the number of pilgrims exceeded the capacities of the prepared chartered flights. So far, over 20,000 pilgrims have already booked tickets. (TNA)
