Alwafeer Air obtains operating licence

Saudi-based pilgrimage airline Alwafeer Air has obtained an operating licence and is expected to start flying during the haj season in November, an official told Reuters on Sunday.

The Jeddah-based airline is the kingdom's fourth after state-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines and low budget carriers Nas Air and Sama.

Abdulhalim Felemban, supervisor of economic planning at the General Authority of Civil Aviation said: "Today they received their Air Operation Certificate (AOC) but they will not start yet. He told Reuters: "It will take time but it will definitely operate in haj."

The charter airline will focus on flying pilgrims to Saudi Arabia - home to Islam's holiest sites in Mecca and Madina - starting with three Boeing 747 aircraft, and may expand its fleet to eight planes within three years.

More than two million pilgrims from around the world flock to Mecca to perform the annual haj. Umra, the minor pilgrimage, can be done throughout the year.

Alwafeer said on its website that it aims to attract "the largest share of the haj and umra transportation", without giving details. Company officials were not immediately available for comment.