Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan says travel firms must bring home pilgrims stranded in West Asia due to conflict, with airlines also responsible for ticket holders.
PUTRAJAYA: Travel agencies and companies managing umrah packages must take full responsibility for repatriating pilgrims stranded overseas due to the West Asia conflict if the pilgrims used their services.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that the concerned agencies should also arrange the rescheduling of the pilgrims’ return flights.
He emphasised that the government is prioritising efforts to assist Malaysians stranded abroad, particularly those trapped at airports during transit.
Mohamad clarified that airlines like Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Batik Air are equally responsible for bringing home passengers who hold confirmed tickets with them.
“Normal flights have resumed, so if pilgrims can show confirmation of their tickets, it is the responsibility of the airline to bring back those who have paid,” he told a press conference.
The minister identified three main groups of Malaysians affected by the recent airspace closures in several West Asian countries.
The first group involves those stranded at transit hubs like Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain while awaiting flights back to Kuala Lumpur.
“We are prioritising those who have been stranded at airports for three to five days while waiting for their return flights,” Mohamad said.
The second group comprises Malaysians who travelled independently to perform umrah, while the third involves Malaysians who live or work in the affected countries.
Nevertheless, the government is assisting the independent umrah travellers who were left without any travel management support.
Mohamad revealed that this group is being temporarily accommodated at Tabung Haji facilities with food provided while return arrangements are made.
“The number is not large, about 500 to 600 people who travelled for umrah independently and are now stranded,” he added.
Tensions in West Asia have reportedly escalated since Feb 28 following a series of attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, with subsequent retaliatory strikes by Tehran against US interests in Gulf countries.
