RIYADH, 15 January — Companies involved in the transportation of pilgrims will have to produce bank guarantees of up to SR200,000 to ensure that they fulfill obligations under the contract, according to draft regulations under the consideration of the Shoura Council.
An informed source has revealed that the regulations, compiled in 36 clauses, also stipulates imposition of a fine against the violators of the rules.
The new regulations will cover all those involved in the process of transporting pilgrims including airlines, shipping lines and road transport companies. The Saudi agency representing the transport company should provide an unconditional bank guarantee for an amount not less than SR100,000, but not exceeding SR200,000. The guarantee is to be made in favor of the Haj Ministry which in coordination with the Civil Aviation Presidency, will determine the amount depending on the number of pilgrims each agency will handle. The guarantee will be released only after the concerned carrier fulfills all its obligations to its passengers.
The new regulations, which are expected to be implemented before the 2002 Haj season, also aim at ensuring the return of the pilgrims to their countries of origin after the completion of the Haj as specified in their travel schedule.
There should be a licensed Saudi agent, except in the case of the Saudi Arabian Airlines, for every Haj carrier, according to the proposed regulations. The carrier will be responsible for ensuring the return of any pilgrims, who stay back for any reason, in collaboration with their agent.
The Haj Ministry will reserve the right to spend SR30 per day for each pilgrim who stays back and the sum will be deducted from the guarantee money if the transporting company fails to provide the daily rations to the pilgrim. The Council of Ministers will have the right to adjust this sum if the Haj minister recommends it.
The new regulations also empower the Ministry of Haj to arrange for the return of the pilgrims delayed by the carrier to their countries for more than 10 days, whatever may be the cause. The ministry will return them on any available means of transport at the expense of the original carrier and its agent.
The regulations also determine penal measures in the event of the delay in the arrival or return of the pilgrims.
Any airline or ship which does not arrive or leave on schedule will be fined SR10,000 while every delayed departure flight will be fined SR15,000.
For late arrivals, every ship or vehicle in the case of pilgrims traveling overland will be fined SR100 for each pilgrim it carries. The fine per pilgrim will be SR1,000 for aircraft. If the number of passengers is less than 100 the fine should not be less than SR100,000.
The new regulations also stipulate that no Haj visa will be issued for land pilgrims unless acompanied by a confirmation of the payment of service charges for the pilgrim from the concerned pilgrim organization and assurance of his return after the pilgrimage.
