The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is closely monitoring the travel and return of Egyptian Umrah pilgrims between Egypt and Saudi Arabia – in coordination with relevant authorities in both countries – following current regional developments and the resulting delays to certain flight schedules.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy directed that field monitoring and communication with the tourism companies organizing Umrah trips be intensified.
The goal is to track any developments that might affect the execution of travel programs and to address them promptly, thereby ensuring the smooth operation of flights and overseeing the quality of services provided to pilgrims throughout the current season.
The Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Tourism Companies Affairs, Samia Sami, said that the ministry’s committees are continuing to monitor Umrah programs and the movement of pilgrims on their travels and as they return to Egypt.
She noted that these committees are stationed at Cairo International Airport, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, as well as field teams in Mecca and Medina.
Exceptional circumstances
The exceptional nature of current regional conditions and the potential for flight schedule disruptions or delays must be taken into account, Sami stressed.
She also highlighted the efforts made by the Chamber of Tourism Establishments and Egyptian tourism companies to manage these developments.
There is ongoing coordination with the Saudi side and all relevant parties to mitigate the impact of any delays, she added, while safeguarding the rights of Umrah pilgrims, considering the circumstances of tourism companies, and limiting the repercussions of regional developments on the execution of Umrah programs,
Citizens must repect the mandates of all authorities responsible for regulating and operating air traffic and the safety measures they implement, she stressed.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities urged tourism companies organizing Umrah trips to continuously monitor flight schedules in coordination with carriers and to keep pilgrims promptly informed of any updates or changes to their travel times, providing them with up-to-date information and necessary guidance to facilitate their travel and ensure their safe return.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm