Hajj Operations Remain On Track Despite West Asia Tension - MAG
By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram
KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has reaffirmed that its Hajj flight operations for the 2026 season will proceed as scheduled despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia that have disrupted air travel in parts of the region.
The airline group said maintaining passenger safety remains its top priority.
President and group chief executive officer (CEO) Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar said the parent company of Malaysia Airlines Bhd remains committed to fulfilling its contractual obligations with Lembaga Tabung Haji, with the first Hajj flight slated to depart on April 18 as planned.
“At this point, operations are proceeding according to schedule. We continue to monitor developments very closely, particularly on the safety and security front, and any decision will be based on real-time assessments,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview.
He emphasised that safety remains the airline’s top priority, noting that MAG has established a dedicated internal committee that convenes daily to evaluate operational risks, especially for flights into the Middle East.
“We have been conducting daily reviews since the war began in West Asia on Feb 28. The team assesses intelligence from various sources to determine whether it is safe for us to operate each flight. Safety is paramount in every decision that we make,” he said.
He pointed out that the heightened vigilance comes amid continued instability in parts of the Middle East, which has led to airspace restrictions and operational disruptions for several international carriers.
While Malaysia Airlines has suspended flights to certain destinations such as Doha due to security concerns, Captain Nasaruddin clarified that these are targeted decisions based on specific risk assessments rather than a broad reduction in services across the region.
For destinations like Jeddah and Madinah, which are critical for Hajj and Umrah operations, he said that the group has been taking extra precautions to ensure every flight meets safety requirements before takeoff.
Despite the uncertainties, he said MAG will continue its long-term agreement with Tabung Haji, which spans five years and covers the transportation of Malaysian pilgrims for both Hajj and Umrah.
“Contractually, we are committed to supporting Tabung Haji, and we will continue to do so. If there are any significant changes in the security situation, we will engage with them and make the necessary adjustments together,” he said.
Captain Nasaruddin, who took over the helm of the airline group in February 2026, said that, at present, there are no changes to the planned Hajj flight schedule.
Looking ahead, he noted that the situation remains fluid and dependent on broader geopolitical developments. “While we are confident with our current plans, we will continue to monitor the situation closely. Should there be any escalation, we will reassess and take the necessary steps to safeguard our operations and our passengers,” he added.
-- BERNAMA