No flight for stranded Umrah pilgrims

PETALING JAYA: The promised flight for some 250 Umrah pilgrims failed to materialise even though Eaglexpressair assured that a plane will be leaving for Jeddah at 6.30pm today.
The flight's status was listed as "cancelled" on KLIA's website and an anonymous pilgrim confirmed with theSun that they have not received any updates.
"No, we have not heard from them. Looks like it has been cancelled," the man said, adding that they have not been given any refund options despite the long delays.
He was among a group of four who were supposed to leave on Dec 5, and as many as 250 pilgrims are currently awaiting their flights.
The man said he saved for two years and paid RM6,500 to Al-Fajr Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd for an Umrah package.
Eaglexpress said in a statement today that it complied with all regulations and safety standards to operate Hajj and Umrah charter flights to Saudi Arabia and a 6.30pm flight numbered 9A9002 had been scheduled to fly the group to Jeddah.
The airline added that it will continue to work with Al-Fajr to deliver quality services to the stranded pilgrims and thanked them for their patience.
All attempts to reach Al-Fajr and Eaglexpressair for comments have so far been unsuccessful.