JEDDAH, 16 December 2004 — The first group of nearly 460 Malaysian Hajis arrived by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) at the Haj Terminal here on Tuesday. They were received by Zulkifli Yaacoub, consul general, Mohammad Salleh Abdul Mubin, consul (Haj affairs), Morad Omar, area manager of MAS, and other consulate and airline officials. It was followed by the first batch to Madinah yesterday. The last incoming flight will be on Jan. 14.

“For the first time Malaysia Airlines will operate 10 direct flights to Madinah from Kuala Lumpur in the first phase and five out of Madinah on the return leg,” Mubin said.

On an average, there will be four flights a day — two by MAS and two by Saudi Arabian Airlines. According to Omar, in the incoming phase, MAS will operate 66 flights and 72 in the return phase. The first flight back to Malaysia is on Jan. 27, and the last on Feb. 22. “Accommodation for pilgrims has been finalized with 25 buildings hired in Makkah and 15 in Madinah,” Mubin said.