Horus From Egypt, joined Feb 2004, 5230 posts, RR: 62 Posted (7 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1764 times:
Six months ago MS began preparing the mammoth task for this year's Hajj season. Plans called for 15% more airline personnel (compared to last year) at JED and MED to cope with the airline's large passenger numbers and a 40% increase during the last 10 days when all pilgrims return to CAI and beyond.
The airline has also terminated the contract it had with last year's Saudi handling agent as they did not fulfil their commitments when they provided only one X-ray machine. This year the airline will have full use of 4 X-ray machines and 10 check-in desks making it capable of handling 5 flights at any one time.
From 19 December - 4 January 2006, EgyptAir will operate 249 flights to Jeddah (JED) and Al-Madina (MED). An estimated 257 return flights will run from 13 January - 1 February. According to EgyptAir chairman, Sherif Galal, the carrier will transfer a total of 60,000 pilgrims; 10,000 are non-Egyptian, mainly coming from Africa and Europe. "Our state-of-the-art A330 have joined the fleet to meet this massive demand," Galal said. "We have also completed procedures to lease another A300-600 to help transfer pilgrims."
In an attempt to lessen potential complications, EgyptAir has suspended bookings on the Luxor and Alexandria routes to Jeddah, limiting the process to Cairo.
Initially, the carrier considered dropping a programme by which visa officers helped passengers with their paperwork on board flights heading to Cairo in order to facilitate the processing once the plane landed. Even though cancelling the programme would have "saved money and allowed more seats for passengers," Galal said, "it would also have resulted in our passengers suffering crowded arrival lines."
Cairo International Airport has also reorganised itself to help avoid the problems of past years. "Hall 2 -- normally allocated for domestic flights -- will be used for pilgrims departing to Jeddah," said Cairo International Airport Chairman Fathi Fathallah. "Flights to and from Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, the primary domestic operation, will be moved to Private Planes Hall 4 for the duration of the pilgrimage season. A huge, modern tent is being constructed in front of the hall just like every year to receive pilgrims who come from every corner of the country."
According to Fathallah, the airport was planning for the pilgrimage season in tandem with additional traffic coinciding with Christmas, Eid, and mid-year vacations. "We have also expanded Hall 3's capacity, and are confident that holidaymakers, tourists and pilgrims will all be more comfortable" this year than they were last year, Fathallah said.
CaptinTuT From United States of America, joined May 2005, 345 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (7 years 5 months 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1444 times:
Quoting MSYYZ (Reply 1): Hi Horus , I will let u know if these measures helped
Enjoy your Trip man, Hajj Mabror ISA
like others waiting for the Pictures.
the last thing I was reading couple of weeks ago but didn't have time to post is that the A330 is equipped with Internet on Business class and that they are considering putting the same service on the B772 and the A340.
Quoting Horus (Reply 2): It seems MS are really starting to improve their customer care
I do believe they started to be much better, I called them yesterday to change my DAD flight from NYC to CAI and they agent was so friendly and helpful, plus dad when he was in his way here about 4 weeks ago (Business Class) he told me that the service was really amazing which is a huge + for them.
Quoting Horus (Reply 2): The onboard visa officer is a great idea
yes I do agree, I believe that the first introduced it on Qatar airways as a service to their passenger, does anyone knows if they still have them on board?
Horus From Egypt, joined Feb 2004, 5230 posts, RR: 62 Reply 7, posted (7 years 5 months 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1389 times:
Quoting CaptinTuT (Reply 6): the last thing I was reading couple of weeks ago but didn't have time to post is that the A330 is equipped with Internet on Business class and that they are considering putting the same service on the B772 and the A340.
I've also heard that Business/Horus class has internet access but nothing confirmed. I'll be flying MS in early January so I'll try and get more info ... maybe even try out C class on the A330 if I'm lucky enough.
Quoting CaptinTuT (Reply 6): I do believe they started to be much better, I called them yesterday to change my DAD flight from NYC to CAI and they agent was so friendly and helpful, plus dad when he was in his way here about 4 weeks ago (Business Class) he told me that the service was really amazing which is a huge + for them.
With one of the highest crew to passenger ratios of any airline, MS has the ability to offer a very personal one-to-one service to its passengers.
Quoting CaptinTuT (Reply 6): yes I do agree, I believe that the first introduced it on Qatar airways as a service to their passenger, does anyone knows if they still have them on board?
QR only offer the service on their CAI flights during the peak summer periods when the Egyptian airport is really pushed to the limits.
Horus From Egypt, joined Feb 2004, 5230 posts, RR: 62 Reply 9, posted (7 years 5 months 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1304 times:
Hajj Mabror MSYYZ
Quoting MSYYZ (Reply 8): I beleive they will be flying MS . ACC and LOS MS flights must be packed this time of the year with pilgrims from all over west Africa .
All flights from Europe and Africa to CAI this time of year are fulled with pilgrims. Their LHR-CAI flights during Hajj seem to be full of Indians/Pakistanis (Asians constitute the largest Muslim community in the UK).
Because of availability , they had to divide our group , some will fly MS to Jeddah while others including myself will fly SV .
Actually this is the first time i fly OS and SV .
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