Saudi Arabia has assigned South Africa a Hajj quota of just 2 500 pilgrims, 1 000 fewer than in 2023.
Unlike last year, no additional concession to increase the number by 1 000 has yet been granted. This has left pilgrims and Hajj-accredited travel agencies stranded just weeks before the start of Hajj, which falls on June 14 this year, explains Sedick Steenkamp, Director of Al Safir Tourism and Chairman of the South African Muslim Travel Operators Association (Samtoa).
“Although the concession may come before the start of Hajj season, it will cause a scramble for agencies to make travel plans for the additional 1 000 pilgrims,” says Steenkamp. “However, should we get the concession, agencies are willing to go all out to make sure they get the arrangements done in time for Hajj.”
As in previous years, agents and pilgrims face the challenges of a shortage of local flights, high airfares and fewer international flights.
Locally, airlines are struggling to accommodate demand between Johannesburg and Cape Town. As a result, pilgrims are paying more for domestic flights and also facing lengthy stopovers between domestic and the connecting international flights.
Internationally, South African pilgrims will have fewer flights to Jeddah and Medina, as Saudia will not serve the South African market during the Hajj season, with its last flights to Johannesburg on June 4, and to Cape Town on June 3.
Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines will offer flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Saudi Arabia, the Johannesburg-Saudi Arabia route will be serviced by two additional airlines, Etihad Airways and EgyptAir.
