EgyptAir has cancelled its hajj flights to and from crisis-hit Mali, disrupting plans for more than 4,000 pilgrims, officials said Saturday.
The decision lands like a sudden storm over thousands of families preparing for the sacred journey.
Mali’s pilgrimage-organising body said the suspension stems from rising kerosene costs and worsening security conditions across the country.
West Africa’s troubled nation is grappling with escalating violence as separatist and jihadist groups intensify attacks against the ruling junta.
Large-scale assaults on military positions last weekend reportedly killed the defence minister, deepening instability in the capital region.
Armed groups have since moved to block key access routes into Bamako, tightening pressure on an already fragile state.
Officials acknowledged the cancellation has sparked concern and confusion among pilgrims awaiting departure for the annual hajj pilgrimage.
They said high-level talks are underway to urgently restore travel arrangements and minimise disruption for affected travellers.
Authorities pledged that all measures are being taken to ensure pilgrims can still depart under safe and orderly conditions.
The suspension affects nearly one-third of Mali’s 13,323 allocated hajj quota for 2026, under a global lottery system.
Hajj quotas are distributed among countries and allocated to individuals through national selection processes each year.
Pilgrims worldwide have already begun arriving in Saudi Arabia ahead of the rituals scheduled to start in late May.
The hajj remains one of Islam’s five pillars, requiring able Muslims to undertake the pilgrimage at least once.
Millions gather in Mecca each year, retracing sacred rites linked to the final pilgrimage of Prophet Mohammed.