Bangkok, 26 July, 2017 – Thai Airways International (THAI) has arranged 31 special flights to Saudi Arabia for 2017 Hajj Pilgrimage for Thai Muslims with flights scheduled to depart from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, as well as Narathiwat, Krabi and Hat Yai Airports, in two periods, during 24 July – 3 August and 20-23 August. The flights are estimated to take about 9,000 Thai Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
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Mrs. Usanee Sangsingkeo, THAI Acting President said, “THAI has arranged charter flights for Hajj pilgrims for 12 years since 2005, following a Cabinet decision for the Ministry of Transport to assist in the arrangement of annual Hajj flights for Thai Muslims. In preparation for the flights, THAI’s representative works with the Hajj Committee of Thailand, which is overseen by the Ministry of Interior, with all arrangements based on agreements between Thailand and Saudi Arabia.”
For the 2017 Hajj Pilgrimage, THAI has scheduled the departure flights to Medina, Saudi Arabia, during 24 July – 3 August, comprising two flights from Bangkok, four flights from Narathiwat, 16 flights from Hat Yai and two flights from Krabi. During 20-23 August, the airline will operate seven flights from Bangkok to Jeddah, also in Saudi Arabia.
The return flights are also scheduled in two periods, and will be taking off from the city of Jeddah only. During 6-23 September, there will be four return flights to Narathiwat, two flights to Bangkok, 16 flights to Hat Yai, and two flights to Krabi. In the last period, from 29 September to 2 October, there will be seven flights to Bangkok.
As usual, the airline continues to place emphasis on the importance of passenger comfort and convenience, safety standards, and on-time flight departures. In addition, the Thai Muslim passengers on these 31 special flights were treated to specially prepared meals from THAI’s Halal kitchens with all food being prepared in strict adherence to Islamic dietary requirements. THAI’s HALAL kitchen received HAL-Q certification for HALAL standards on all of these special flights.