Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) aims to tap into 50% of the umrah pilgrimage market in Malaysia and Indonesia with 270,000-290,000 umrah pilgrims projected to make their pilgrimage to the holy land in the upcoming pilgrimage season.
The national carrier entered into a charter service deal with a coalition of four umrah tour operators comprising KRS Travel Sdn Bhd, ATS Global Travel & Charter, Ecoriths Leisure Travel &Tour and Rayhar Travels Sdn Bhd to provide air charter services during the umrah season beginning October 2018 until June 2019.
MAB group CEO Captain Izham Ismail said all the 149 flights will be operated via its Airbus A380-800 aircraft. The agreement will see the carrier transporting 70,000 pilgrims from Malaysia and neighbouring countries such as Indonesia.
The direct flight are from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia.
