Affordable flights to Mecca boost Hajj pilgrimage access in 2023

A new flight service by Wizz Air connecting the UK to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has significantly reduced the cost of traveling for the Hajj pilgrimage, which is a fundamental religious duty for Muslims. This year, over 1.8 million Muslims have already participated in the pilgrimage, which is located just an hour's drive from Jeddah. The affordability of this new flight option is expected to encourage more of the UK's four million Muslims to undertake the pilgrimage, as traditional routes were often prohibitively expensive. Shahin Ashraf, head of global advocacy at Islamic Relief, praised the new fare as a 'brilliant price,' highlighting that previous travel options often involved multiple stops and high costs, averaging around £900. The new direct flight not only saves money but also time, making the pilgrimage more accessible to those who may not have been able to afford it before. This change is likely to increase participation among first-time pilgrims. While the new flight service offers a positive development for many, it also raises environmental concerns. Each passenger's journey contributes approximately 1.7 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. Shahin emphasized the importance of considering the environmental impact of increased air travel, especially in light of the ongoing climate crisis. She mentioned her personal commitment to sustainability by planting trees after her travels. The recent Hajj has also been marked by tragedy, with over 1,300 fatalities reported due to extreme heat conditions, reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius. This highlights the need for careful planning and consideration for the health and safety of pilgrims, alongside the benefits of increased accessibility to the pilgrimage.