NEIGHBOURHOOD policing officers have been helping to make sure the first ever flights for Hajj pilgrims from Leeds Bradford International Airport to Saudi Arabia went smoothly.

Airport-based officers were on hand to make sure the hundreds of pilgrims flying out for the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) had a safe and enjoyable departure and return.

This year saw the first ever Hajj flights from Leeds Bradford International Airport to Jeddah and Madinah airports in Saudia Arabia. More than 600 pilgrims travelled out on three special flights operated by Bradford-based Sky Fly Connections Ltd between November 22 and 26, and returned yesterday and today.

Hundreds of friends and relatives attend at the airport to see pilgrims off and to welcome them back.

The Hajj pilgrimage, which this year took place between December 6 and 9, is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. This event is considered to be an obligation that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. It involves thousands of people who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj and perform a series of rituals.

Inspector Darren Huddleston, who heads the airport team, said: “The hundreds of extra passengers that the new Hajj flights have generated and the hundreds of friends and relatives who come to see them off and welcome them back have presented some logistical challenges for us in terms of managing large groups of people but we are very pleased that by working alongside airport staff everything has gone smoothly.

“We have had a lot of very positive feedback and we are very pleased to have played a part in making sure that this important once-in-a-lifetime experience went without a hitch for all those involved.”

Tony Hallwood, Commercial & Aviation Development Director at LBIA, said: "We were pleased to act as Yorkshire's gateway for the recent annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Our excellent relationship with the NPT has delivered a smooth operation for all pilgrims flying to and from Saudi Arabia.”