JEDDAH: A Royal Air Maroc (RAM) flight from Jeddah to Casablanca had an unusual emergency on Monday when it was nearing its destination.
A woman pilgrim returning home after performing Umrah collapsed in her seat and the cabin crew swung into action calling for any doctor or medical expert on the flight. There were three doctors on board and all of them came forward to help. The woman, on examination, was found to have died of a massive heart attack. The flight landed in Casablanca and all the formalities relating to the woman were gone through.
Recalling the incident, a RAM spokesman clarified a report that the woman's death caused the flight to return to Jeddah some time after its take-off on that day.
“Usually, Umrah pilgrims take care to see that they do not develop health problems during their journey to the pilgrimage,” he said.
The carrier has been operating special Umrah and Haj flights every year due to increasing demand from Moroccans.
RAM is operating 50 extra flights for Umrah pilgrims between Sept. 19 and Oct. 1. Aside from the special flights, Moroccan pilgrims also travel by the airline's four weekly flights to Jeddah.
RAM also has a schedule of three weekly flights from Casablanca to Riyadh and runs an additional flight every week during peak seasons.
Saudi Arabian Airlines also operates three regular flights between Jeddah and Morocco. "This shows the huge travel requirement of Moroccans in general and Umrah pilgrims in particular," the spokesman added.
RAM, which has Elhassane Mokhtari as its new general manager, is also gearing up for the upcoming Haj season. "Our Haj quota is for 25,000 pilgrims, but we will have additional 5,000 people traveling for the annual pilgrimage as official representatives and other VIPs," the spokesman said, adding that the Moroccan national carrier will operate 50 to 60 flights during the Haj season each way.
He said Morocco's various tourist destinations and cuisine have become a big draw for Saudi families.
