Unimpeachable sources have disclosed to The Point that preparations are at an advanced stage for the airlifting of 1621 intending pilgrims from The Gambia to perform the 2007 Hajj in the holy city of Mecca. Six flights are scheduled to airlift all the pilgrims from November 20th to November 25th. The aircraft type earmarked to carry out the operation, our sources disclosed, is the Boeing 767 latest series. The flights are being operated by Gambia International Airlines (GIA) in collaboration with Banjul Travel Agency and Continental Travels.

Earlier on GIA successfully completed arrangements to charter the aircraft from Euro Atlantic, a major European Airline, which recently flew in a 46-member crew specifically to handle the Hajj smoothly. This has already resulted in the successful commencement of the Hajj flights from The Gambia as early as yesterday for the first time in the history of The Gambia, our sources added. The first flight carrying 250 pilgrims left Banjul yesterday at 7.50 a.m, the exact time scheduled for the flight, bound for the holy city of Medina. At the time of going to press last night, this paper got information that the Gambian flight was the first African flight to land in Medina.

Many observers have noted that since the commencement of the Management Contract, GIA has registered significant improvements in its operations. Among these is the already commenced flight operation within the sub-region, namely Banjul–Dakar-Banjul, Banjul-Freetown-Banjul and Banjul-Praia-Banjul.

Our sources also revealed that there are plans to also embark on inter continental flight operations in the not too distant future.

Meanwhile this year’s pilgrims are expected back on the third week of December.