Uganda Airlines launches direct Hajj flight

GOOBJOOG NEWS | KAMPALA: The Ugandan airlines has started its maiden flight to the Muslim holy city of Macca in Saudi Arabia.

The airlines says this move is in readiness to establish scheduled flights to Saudi Arabia before the end of the year.

“We have had our maiden flight to Jeddah, and this is the first time it has happened in 40 years. It is a very historic moment for the country and us as an airline,” Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Bamuturaki said.

On Monday, the CEO said the airlines had flown over 400 of its citizens making the trip for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Ugandan Muslim pilgrims have in the past been forced to connect through other countries for their pilgrimage, making the journey long, expensive and tedious.

Hajj is an at least once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all able-bodied Muslims of financial means to make. Some two to three million people participate in the six-day ritual annually.

About 50 Ugandans heading to Mecca were stranded at the Khartoum airport when the deadly Sudan war pitting generals broke out in April.