NATIONAL Air Services the parent company of Saudi budget carrier Nas Air has established a Hajj and Umrah passenger division to meet rising demand with in the kingdom’s religious tourism market.
The new division, named Nas Charter Services Hajj & Umrah, will help to integrate air fares into pilgrimage tour programmes organised by local and international Hajj and Umrah firms.
Saudi Arabia receives 2.8 million visitors each year for the annual Hajj to Mecca and is keen to develop its religious tourism offering including for Umrah which can be performed at any time of the year.
The Riyadh-based airline carried 70,000 Hajj pilgrims in 2009 and 20010 travelling from India, Pakistan, Cameroon and Senegal.