Riyadh: Nasair, the Saudi-based low-cost carrier, yesterday announced that it carried more than 40,000 pilgrims from several countries during the 2010 Haj season.
The airline said it conducted 140 flights to achieve this feat.
Bandar Al Mohana, vice-chief executive officer of the National Air Services Company (Nas Holding), the parent company of Nasair, said that notwithstanding the fact that the company's involvement in carrying Haj pilgrims was a relatively new service, it had been growing significantly in terms of passenger numbers and destinations.
He pointed out that during the 2009 Haj season, Nasair carried 30,000 pilgrims from India alone. However, during the 2010 Haj season, the company's passengers were from India, Pakistan, Cameroon and Senegal.
He noted that the accomplishments made in regard to carrying pilgrims and the appreciation shown by the heads of Haj missions in the respective countries had encouraged Nasair to expand the scope of its services.
National duty
Ahmad Sultan Al Madani, director of the Bilateral Agreements and Aviation Relations Department at Nasair, said the company's involvement in carrying pilgrims was part of its duty as a national air carrier.
He explained that the company has assigned more than 150 employees, in addition to staff from supporting companies, to work as one team and serve pilgrims. He added that the service was categorised as highly professional.
