The Ministry of Hajj and Islamic Affairs (MoHIA) said on Monday Ariana Airlines has again won the contract to fly Hajj pilgrims to Mecca and Medina – a contract worth $29 million USD.

The ministry said that it will also offer tickets at a $30 USD discount this year against last year’s price of $980 USD per person.

Sixty five guides and religious instructors will meanwhile attend at no charge.  

According to the ministry 30,000 pilgrims are expected to attend – an increase of 6,000 against last year.

The ministry said in addition to the sponsorship of the guides and religious instructors, the survivors of 1,000 martyrs will attend Hajj free of charge.

“Last year Ariana Airlines played a vital role in the Hajj process and had direct fights to Mecca and Medina. Our pilgrims flew to Mecca and back home without any problems and had been satisfied with the process. We have signed the contract with the airline on the basis of their achievements last year and because the airline is giving us an almost $1 million USD discount against last year. We hope that this year the Hajj process will also be successful,” said the deputy MoHIA minister Daee-ul-Haq Abed.

Ariana Airlines meanwhile said that the airline will use two Airbus A310 planes for the duration of the pilgrimage and will charter another plane for pilgrims.

The airline said a plan to buy new aircraft for the company has been already been sent to government.

“We will use our two Airbus A310 planes for Hajj but two planes are not enough so we will charter another plane for the process,” said Mohammad Nader Omar Chief of Ariana Airlines.

According to the ministry, the price for each ticket this year is $950 dollars, a $30 USD discount against last year.

The ministry said compared to last year, this year 6,000 extra pilgrims will go to Hajj. However, 180,000 have been nominated but are on the waiting list.