Eagle Express spokesperson Farra Alia told FMT the flight had to be cancelled as the airline did not receive permission to land at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

“We are still trying to obtain permission from the Saudi authorities. We are cleared to take off but not to land for reasons which have yet to be relayed to us.”

Farra said at present, Eagle Express was doing all it could to ensure the pilgrims could perform their umrah, including trying to arrange for a flight for them tomorrow evening.

She said, however, that the flight would not be cancelled although it might be delayed.

Earlier today, WhatsApp messages about the plight of the pilgrims made their rounds. The message related how some pilgrims from Johor, Perak and Selangor were given the choice of either waiting for the flight or pulling out from the trip.

One of the pilgrims, Kamarulzaman Abdul Karim, 26, told FMT Eagle Express had offered to compensate the pilgrims double the ticket price should they opt out of the flight.

“I am sad and angry. I hope the authorities investigate the matter and help us so that we can continue our pilgrimage.”

At 6.15pm today, the pilgrims were still waiting at several hotels in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, and at their homes. The hotel rooms are paid for by the travel agency which arranged the trip.