Our Hajj operation this year will involve about 10,000 hours of additional flight time, 4000 of which will be done by leased aircraft. It makes tonnes of money.
There is a difference between Hajj and Umra. Hajj is a required part of the moslem faith and should be done at least once in a persons life. Hajj is performed from the 05-09 of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hajjah. Umra is a mini Hajj, it can be performed throughout the year.
but there are ways of doing this in a courteous manner, without sending people on hungry and humiliated They did actually get x-ray machines for checking inbound luggage, but certain flights are still met with the same "traditional welcome".
Hajj draws all types of airline cowboys seeking a fast buck, some have succeeded while others have become infamous in Pprune.
Mutt.