Flyne charter flight carrying 433 Gambian pilgrims has finally left for Saudi Arabia after Mali granted access to its airspace.

The flight was forced to return to Banjul last night following Mali authorities refusal to grant overflight permission.

The airline was blamed for the incident that caused huge stress to many of the pilgrims onboard the flight. 

Lamin Cham, managing director of The Gambia International Airline, explained that the charter flight was denied passage into Mali’s airspace for not seeking permission, but added the matter has been resolved and Malian authorities accepted the flight to use its airspace.

“With the help of God and the Gambia Government and of course the help of Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, under the leadership of Fansu Bojang, Flyne is now able to secure the flight permit from Mali. Once again, we are witnessing the departure of the 433 pilgrims by 4pm. 

“Again, they will be en route to Mali to join other pilgrims in Madina,” Mr Cham told reporters.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba