AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Yemen Airways has successfully transported 5,166 pilgrims from Sanaa International Airport to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as reported by Khalil Jahaf, the acting Chairman of the airline's Board of Directors.
Jahaf, in a statement to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), detailed the phased departure of the pilgrims, beginning with a group of 740 last week.
Subsequent batches saw 637, 1,100, 822, 1,093, and 774 pilgrims depart, with a total of 8,200 expected to make the journey through 15 additional flights in the coming days.
The airline's chairman emphasized the comprehensive care being provided to the pilgrims, ensuring that all services and facilities are in place to facilitate their travel swiftly and efficiently, in line with international standards.
This year's successful flights follow last year's milestone when over 270 Yemeni pilgrims flew to Saudi Arabia, the first such flight since the closure of Sanaa airport in 2016 due to the conflict led by the Saudi coalition.
The reopening of the airport for international commercial flights in 2022 was a pivotal demand by the Houthi-led government in Sanaa during the Omani-mediated peace talks with Saudi Arabia.
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