Holy Hajj is under jeopardy
Kazakhstani pilgrims were obliged to use the services of airlines “SCAT” and “FlyNas” for a trip to Saudi Arabia.
The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan "Atameken" received appeals of entrepreneurs and individuals for the organization of the Hajj for citizens of Kazakhstan. The reason for the appeals was the situation with the airlines: in accordance with the terms of the memorandum signed between the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan with the religious authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstani pilgrims, directed by tour companies, should depart for Hajj and return home by the airliner “SCAT” from the Kazakh side and “FlyNas” from the Saudi Arabia side 50/50. According to information provided by the SAMK, the Memorandum specifies the quota for the Hajj in 2015 to 5000 citizens of Kazakhstan.
At the initiative of NCE RK "Atameken" at the site of the Ministry of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan was held an expanded meeting on this issue with participation of interested state bodies, public associations and the subjects of the tourist market. Representative of the Civil Aviation Committee of MID RK announced information on the concluded in November 2014 cooperation agreement between the aeronautical authorities of KSA and the Republic of Kazakhstan, according to which the aeronautical authorities of the Parties shall provide the national carriers of the parties permission to transport pilgrims and other passengers, both on regular and charter flights. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia determined the carrier in the face of the airline “FlyNas”. At the same time according to CAC, the airline “FlyNas” at the time of the meeting didn’t submit documents to obtain permission to carry out occasional air travel. According to the CAC from the Kazakh side the only airline company, which expressed a desire to fly to Saudi Arabia was “SCAT”, which applied for a permission and definition of “SLOT-TIME” by aeronautical authorities of the KSA. However, by the time of the meeting “SLOT-TIME” for the airline “SCAT” was not provided, although there is only one month before the Hajj.
“SLOT-TIME” announced to travel companies of the airline “FlyNas” stipulates presence of pilgrims in KSA within 30 days, which is not suitable for Kazakhstani residents. 30 days of Hajj, it is a major impact on the costs of pilgrims who mainly fly to Saudi Arabia for 15-17 days. Second, most of the pilgrims - are elderly, for whom each day spent in an extremely hot country, can have a negative impact on health. Third, the price, the claimed airline “FlyNas”, an average of 250-400 dollars higher than the prices offered by regular air carriers in other countries (Turkish Airlines, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai).
Representative of SAMK at the meeting said that the Embassy of KSA in Kazakhstan, in accordance with the signed memorandum stipulates the issuance of visas to pilgrims of RK upon presence of air tickets to the KSA on the boards of the airline “SCAT” or “FlyNas”.
At the moment, there are more questions than answers. For example, by what legal norms SAMK is guided, while signing a memorandum with the religious authorities of the KSA that put entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens of Kazakhstan in such unfavorable conditions? Why does MFA of RK has not taken any action to protect the legitimate interests of Kazakhstani citizens, allowing consular office to lobby the interests of economic entities? Even though we are friendly countries.
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Алибек
Абдумоминова С.А
Мы, компания которая занимается именно паломническим туризмом, никак не можем понять, для чего вот это все делается? Ведь предлагаемые условия вообще не подходят для спроса паломников и для удобств туристов. Хорошо, допустим , хотим мы своей КЗ А/К (СКАТ) лететь, но ведь для этого должны какие то делать льготы либо удобства соответсвующеися. Вылеты хотят сделать промежутком аж 30 дней, вы издеваетесь?? да и цена если дороже на 250-400 дол. тех А/К которыми сейчас все летают а сравнить если (Turkish Airlines, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai) их со СКАТом так это небо и земля, и в сервисе и в воздушных суднах, да и в удобствах, зачем тогда менять, толк в чем???
Хотите доброе дело сделать, либо создавайте для этого всяческие хорошие условия, либо наверное уже не мешать, и не вмешиваться , какими авиа линиями им (паломникам) вылетать!
Мурат