Applications for the minor pilgrimage (Umrah) for that year exceed, by far, the capacity of the Tunisair's fleet. A dilemma for the airline company of Tunisia.

Until now more than 40,000 applications for the small pilgrimage (Umrah) have been recorded while Tunisair did not anticipate just  25,000. The cancellation of the "Umrah" last year due to the swine flu was that this religious ritual known this year a comeback.

To cope with this high demand, Tunisair is planning to set up 81 round trips through a regular program of chartering Tunisians wishing to perform the "Umrah". For this, the airline plans to put its entire fleet (30 aircrafts) at the disposal of these carts because of the large crowds expected traffic on flights to Jeddah and Medina against declines in other destinations.

To prepare the small pilgrimage travels under the best conditions, Tunisair has already secured the return of the majority of Tunisians living abroad that has seen a strong focus on the first days of August, to ease traffic and leave the aircraft, now available to Tunisians wishing to perform "Umrah".

Tunisair has provided transport to 275 532 passengers between scheduled and overtime during the month of July (an increase of 17.5% compared to July 2009). On charter flights, 201,597 passengers were transported. In total, we secured the return of 477,129 Tunisians living abroad during the month of July (an increase of 5.4% compared to July 2009).

Despite great efforts by Tunisair to respond to requests from candidates for "Umrah" which provides the fleet the company does not absorb some 40,000 applications. The number of aircraft and their capacity (about 160 passengers per aircraft) do carry nearly 27,000 passengers. The use of large renting Airbus (capable of carrying over 500 passengers) will be the only solution available Tunisair to meet all requests. Otherwise, a sort of applications will be necessary, but in this case a logical question arises: who will be given priority to those who submitted their applications last year, or by following the usual process of selection folder? Tunisair A dilemma faced in making the right choice.