This year's hajj season looks bleak for airlines, reports Amirah Ibrahim Restrictions on hajj pilgrims seem to accrue daily, thanks to growing concerns over the spread of swine flu. None of which is good news for EgyptAir. The hajj season is usually the national carrier's busiest, and most profitable, time of year. Earlier this week Egypt's civil aviation authorities received a list of new restrictions set by Saudi Arabia, including the demand that all pilgrims acquire a certificate showing they have received a seasonal flu vaccination at least two weeks before their flights before applying for a visa. Emad Sallam, head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, says Egyptian pilgrims will not be allowed to embark on flights unless they can show the certificate. "Both the national carrier and Saudi Airlines, the two carriers which monopolise the trade, have received similar instructions. Pilgrims will not be able to purchase flight tickets in the absence of the required health certificate." Additional restrictions include a blanket ban on pilgrims bringing food and beverages from their home countries. "Thermal cameras will scan passengers at all Egyptian airports. Any passenger with a temperature exceeding 38 degrees will be refused permission to board and be tested for swine flu by a medical team," added Sallam. Over two million Muslims travel to Mecca on hajj each year. This year, though, with concern over swine flu growing, the number of Egyptian pilgrims is expected to fall by between 30 to 40 per cent. "This year we saw a 30 per cent fall in omra pilgrims which has badly effected our business," says Hussein Massoud, the Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company. "We have had to refund LE60 million in ticket sales to customers prevented from leaving by government restrictions." In July Arab health ministers recommended a ban on pilgrims above the age of 65 or younger than 12. Egypt began implementing the ban last month. "As far as hajj flight tickets are concerned, EgyptAir will not be reimbursing passengers who are prevented from flying. To do so would mean we will incur massive losses," says Massoud. "Last year EgyptAir transferred over 70,000 pilgrims, 12,000 of them transit passengers. The new restrictions on the hajj season mean we will be reallocating aircraft to other routes." Saudi officials have already banned high-risk groups, including pregnant women and the chronically ill, from undertaking the hajj pilgrimage. Now, in addition to acquiring the seasonal flu vaccine certificate, Saudi officials are insisting that pilgrims who travel by air are accommodated in hotels no more than 750 metres from the Holy Mosque in Mecca and that no more than four people should share a room. EgyptAir chairman, Captain Alaa Ashour, says the company is committed to following all guidelines issued by either the Saudi or the Egyptian authorities. "We are committed to the health of our passengers as well as to helping control the spread of swine flu among pilgrims," said Ashour. Although EgyptAir flights now operate out of the new Cairo International Terminal 3, hajj flights to Mecca and Medina are being moved back to the old Terminal 1, where a hajj tent will be set up for pilgrims who may have to wait for hours before boarding their flights. "The hajj tent will be equipped with entertainment facilities and health services," says Mohamed El-Shaashaai, Cairo International Airport's vice-president. "Terminal 1 is more suited for handling such a large number of passengers and the possibility of associated delays." Cairo International has equipped all three terminal buildings with thermal cameras to scan passengers on both arrival and departure.
