Malaysia Airlines inks three year agreement with Andalusia Travel for Umrah

Andalusia Travel & Tours managing director Haji Ibrahim Mat Sin and director Hajah Ida Riswana Idris; Malaysia Airlines group CEO Izham Ismail; senior member of Project AMAL Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin; Andalusia Travel & Tours Datuk Haji Md Daud Che

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd will fly Malaysian pilgrims to Madinah and Jeddah during the Umrah season beginning August this year until 2021 under a three-year agreement with Andalusia Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd.

The national carrier will provide up to 200 charter flights over three years utilising its superjumbo A380-800 aircraft that can accommodate up to 484 passengers.

Malaysia Airlines  had on Tuesday signed a three-year agreement with Andalusia Travel & Tours beginning August this year until 2021.  The signing ceremony was held at the MAB Academy in Kelana Jaya.

The charter service, via Malaysia Airlines, will offer premium, dedicated on-ground and in-flight services at a competitive price through Andalusia Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. 

It said this was also in line with the airlines’ commitment to ensure pilgrims’ convenience, comfort and safety in their journey to perform their religious obligations at the Holy Land.
  
Malaysia Airlines has worked closely with the Saudi authorities to secure slot allocation for both inbound and outbound travel at major airports in Saudi Arabia namely King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (KAIA), Jeddah and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdul-Aziz International Airport (PMIA), Madinah.
  
The agreement was signed by Malaysia Airlines group CEO Izham Ismail and a senior member of Project AMAL, Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin, Andalusia Travel & Tours managing director Haji Ibrahim Mat Sin and Andalusia Travel & Tours director, Hajah Ida Riswana Idris. 
 
Izham said the national carrier was honoured to be the airline of choice once again to service the Umrah market together with Andalusia Travel & Tours. 

“The A380-800 aircraft will allow us to meet the increased demand for air travel to Jeddah and Madinah.” 

“This three-year agreement is a testament to the excellent service we deliver to ensure the well-being of pilgrims throughout their journey. This year, we have committed to 65 flights with over 42,000 seats with Andalusia Travel & Tours.

“It is important that we continue to reach the level of service expected by our pilgrims,” he said. 
 
The agreement will eventually be novated from Malaysia Airlines to Project AMAL once the new airline meets all regulatory and licensing requirements in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.