Hajj Flights

[Nik H. 3]

Thanks Meor, great pix, superb coverage, good work indeed.

 

Look forward for more.

[Meor 0]

There are only few occasion where you get Police escort. One of it is the Hajj Pilgrims. PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police) help to escort us to the airport the located just less than 10 KM away. It feels so good to hear the siren and see all cars stop to give way.

 

Ready to depart.

 

At the roundabout near Sabah Mosque.

 

Traffic light to the Airport.

 

The bus that we ride drove directly into the tarmac where the Queen of the sky waits for the Pilgrims. I thnk this is where the Pilot wait for the passenger to board.

 

Disembark from the bus.

 

Climb the stairs.

 

 

A cheerful greeting waits at the door by MAS crew.

 

Boarding from the rear.

 

 

The ride for today is "Johor Bahru"

 

 

MAS & Tabung Haji professional Staff bring the best for Malaysian Pilgrims.

 

One final Picture before door closed and ready to depart for KUL then Jeddah.

 

Special thanks to MAS Hajj & Charter Department Especially Captain Nik Ahmad Huzlan for the opportunity given to Malaysian Wings to make this coverage, Hj. Ajis Toba (MAS BKI), En .Ahmad (MAS Security BKI), Hj. Faizal (MAS Hajj & Charter), MAB, Royal Malaysian Police, Bus driver, Ambulance and lastly Tabung Haji Malaysia.

 

We hope that we can work together again with MAS Hajj & Charter Department near the future.

 

Thank you.

 

-Reporting from Kota Kinabalu-

 

Meor Amir (Malaysian Wings)

 

[Fitri Shukri 0]

Good job there Meor. Were you using the built-in flash of your Nikon?

 

Just some suggestion for improvement :

1. Try to get more emotional pictures... pilgrim hugging their loved ones (spouse, children, relatives) while in tears

2. You are relatively taller to most people, so try to lower yourself so that you get the people photos at the same height level of their eyes

3. Go lower... on your knee, take photo from a lower angle

 

I'll be resigning as a full-time staff from my company and start freelancing from 1st Jan 2008. Hope to join the Hajj photog team next year... if permitted

[Arieff 0]

Pictures? Where?...

 

see at page 1-3 ...

 

[Desmond C 0]

Well done Meor

[Chan CS 0]

Thanks for the photos Meor!

 

Why different color for the tags btw?

[Arieff 0]

Why different color for the tags btw?

 

For the class??

 

[Nik H. 3]

For the class??

 

Colors follow the zones of the aircraft. This is to facilitate smooth boarding by zones and ensure the process will not be similar to boarding on the Great Red one.

 

If it was for class three colors would have been enough.

 

[BC Tam 2]

Thank you to all involved for making that series of pics available to be shared with us here

It is especially heartening to learn of the efforts by Tabung Haji and mh for our pilgrims, good job !

[Arieff 0]

Colors follow the zones of the aircraft. This is to facilitate smooth boarding by zones and ensure the process will not be similar to boarding on the Great Red one.

 

If it was for class three colors would have been enough.

 

hehehe..sorry Capt Nik..

[Ian Lim 0]

Thanks for sharing. meor

[Radzi 2]

Nice works, Meor.

 

Anyway, news from Dec 26th.

 

MALAYSIA AIRLINES WELCOMES HOME FIRST BATCH OF HAJ PILGRIMS

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

Malaysia Airlines flight MH 8201 with 380 Malaysian Haj Pilgrims landed safely at the KL International Airport (KLIA) early this morning.

 

On hand to receive the pilgrims of the first flight were Assistant General Manager (Haj & Charter), Captain Haji Nik Huzlan and officials of Lembaga Tabung Haji.

 

On arrival of the flight, Capt. Haji Nik Huzlan said, "This is the beginning of our safe and successful transportation of our Haj Pilgrims back to Malaysia. This has been possible due to the cooperation and commitment by various government departments and agencies like Lembaga Tabung Haji, Immigration and Malaysia Airports Berhad. Also, through the firm support of the Saudi Arabia government, we have made all arrangements in the Holy land to ensure our pilgrims' safe return to Malaysia."

 

This was the first of the 54 flights operated by Malaysia Airlines, to transport 13,500 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia using Malaysia Airlines' Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

 

For these return flights, Malaysia Airlines will transport 10,500 pilgrims on 48 services from Jeddah. Another 2,660 pilgrims will depart Madinah on 6 flights, and 3 of these will land in KLIA whilst the remaining 3 flights will be arriving in Penang.

 

Whilst the departures from Jeddah to KLIA commenced yesterday, the first flight from Madinah, MH 8265 will depart 16 January 2008 and arrive Penang the next day at 0620 hrs. MH 8287, the last flight from Madinah on 23 January 2008, is expected to arrive Kuala Lumpur at 0600 hrs the next day. The return Haj flights will come to a close with the arrival of MH 8385 from Jeddah at KLIA on 23January scheduled at 1540 hrs.

[Meor 0]

Good job there Meor. Were you using the built-in flash of your Nikon?

 

Just some suggestion for improvement :

1. Try to get more emotional pictures... pilgrim hugging their loved ones (spouse, children, relatives) while in tears

2. You are relatively taller to most people, so try to lower yourself so that you get the people photos at the same height level of their eyes

3. Go lower... on your knee, take photo from a lower angle

 

I'll be resigning as a full-time staff from my company and start freelancing from 1st Jan 2008. Hope to join the Hajj photog team next year... if permitted

Fitri,

Actually when I arrive the relative already moving out from the Tabung Haji Complex, so no emotional pic to grab. I also have difficulties to get through inside the complex as so many pilgrims eager to check in.

 

As for my equipment I’m using my kitlens and SB600. To get lower is not easy for a big guy like me but I try next time (sakit pinggang). I do notice and few of my pictures I do kneel down.

 

I really appreciate all the comments to improve my skills.

 

-cheers-

 

 

[Azreen 0]

Tq Meor. Lovely. Enjoyed them.

[Yuh Loh 0]

Nice COVERAGE Meor! Thanks.

[Yusoff 1]

Great coverage Meor! Thanks for waking up in the wee hours to let us share the expeience and got us to see how they do it in Sabah.

[Fitri Shukri 0]

Fitri,

Actually when I arrive the relative already moving out from the Tabung Haji Complex, so no emotional pic to grab. I also have difficulties to get through inside the complex as so many pilgrims eager to check in.

 

As for my equipment I’m using my kitlens and SB600. To get lower is not easy for a big guy like me but I try next time (sakit pinggang). I do notice and few of my pictures I do kneel down.

 

I really appreciate all the comments to improve my skills.

 

-cheers-

 

I'm wondering, to cover such event in the future, and for the budget photographer, what if :

 

Camera 1 (main camera)

Medium category DSLR (from EOS 30D/40D or D70s/D80/D300 class)

+ General kit lens

+ Wide angle zoom lens

+ External Flash

 

Camera 2 (pocketable back-up)

High end prosumer digital camera (such as Powershot G7/G9 or Nikon P5000/5100)

 

OK ke?

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

Watched this on Buletin Utama on TV3:

 

"Malaysian Hajj return flights will be rescheduled,as Saudi Authority allows only 4 return flights to Malaysia daily to avoid congestion"

 

If any of you guys got latest news about it,please do post it here.

[BC Tam 2]

Our best wishes to Captain Nik then !

 

Just read this from Bernama

Tabung Haji to absorb pilgrims’ expenses caused by flight delays

 

MECCA, Nov 27 – Tabung Haji will absorb the extra cost incurred for the longer stay of Hajj pilgrims due to a delay in their return flight home after the Saudi authorities rescheduled flight services.

 

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom said the delay was due to a directive by the Saudi Arabian government to allow only four Hajj return flights a day, comprising two from Malaysia and two from Saudi Airlines, to avoid congestion at their airport.

 

“Following the directive, some pilgrims who were scheduled to return on certain dates, had to remain in Saudi Arabia longer,” he told Tabung Haji media personnel here today.

 

He added that the change in schedule was accepted by the pilgrims and that Tabung Haji would absorb expenses incurred during their stay, especially food and accommodation.

 

“Initially they were concerned about the expenses incurred for their longer stay as they had only paid for a period of 40 days but I have assured them that Tabung Haji will absorb the extra cost,” he said.

 

According to the new schedule, the first flight out will be on Dec 3 and the last flight leaves Saudi Arabia on Jan 2. – Bernama

Edited November 27, 2009 by BC Tam

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

Ah,thanks for posting the article,BC

[Nik H. 3]

Our best wishes to Captain Nik then !

 

Just read this from Bernama

 

Thanks BC.

 

Apart from the first year we took over in 2003, the Team found this year to be the most challenging, with permissions, slots and schedules changing right up to the last minute. We eventually drew up 5 (!) different schedules based on the everchanging numbers as allowed by our esteemed Saudi Authorities.

 

Eventually, for phase One, we managed to operate with no significant delay, the only snag being a jammed cargo door affecting two flights the delay of which were insignificant, and another delay out of KCH due to late completion of refuelling. I was made to understand that flights operated by SV encountered significant delays due various reasons.

 

I have to record here that the MH Hajj and Charter personnel did very well and really went beyond expectations.

 

With regards to the press report, 4 flights a day is the norm, the only issue being the slot times for the MH two flights are not quite what we have applied fo.

 

We are now bracing ourselves with the start of Phase 2, which will begin 3rd December. Delays are expected due to apron congestion in Jeddah especially in the first week. We have prepared for the worst, but optimistically hoping for the best.

[BC Tam 2]

More than 2 million Muslims begin haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia

from: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3022099/more-2-million-muslims-begin-haj-pilgrimage-saudi-arabia

 

Most fascinating and humbling travel experience I reckon

Best wishes to all those already on site for the final push