SPECIAL CHARTERED PLANE FOR MALAYSIAN EVACUATION SAFELY LANDS IN JEDDAH

By Mohd Haidar Ali

JEDDAH, March 10 (Bernama) -- A Malaysia Airlines aircraft specially chartered for the evacuation of Malaysians from the West Asia conflict zone safely landed at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at 8.35 am, today (1.35 am Wednesday Malaysia time).

The Airbus A330-300 aircraft is scheduled to refuel before embarking on the flight back to Malaysia two hours later.

Given the short window due to technical factors, the boarding process at the Jeddah Airport is expected to be a challenge.

However, the Malaysian diplomatic missions and the Malaysian Consulate General in Jeddah have taken proactive steps by getting all passengers assembled at the waiting area much earlier to ensure a smooth evacuation process.

The evacuation operation for Malaysians from the West Asia conflict zone is carried out at the behest of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, following a reportedly worsening security situation in the region.

The government had earlier expressed its commitment to take all possible measures to ensure a safe passage home for the affected Malaysians.

The mission is also understood to be bringing home a group of Malaysians who were previously stranded in several locations, including Saudi Arab, Syria, Jordan, and Qatar, comprising students, travellers, and umrah pilgrims.

The National Security Council (NSC) is coordinating the operation in close cooperation with the Foreign Ministry through Malaysia’s diplomatic missions in the West Asian region.

Earlier, the specially chartered Malaysia Airlines departed at 4.10 pm, Tuesday from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). 

The flight, which also includes a reporter and photographer from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as well as a cameraman from Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), is expected to arrive at KLIA at 11 am Wednesday (March 11).

-- BERNAMA