Filipino Muslim pilgrims will have to take a ride on a Philippine Air Force Plane C-130 for the Hajj this year should there be a shortage of commercial airline flights to  Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Sulu 1st District Rep. Yusop Jikiri, who is the Amerull Hajj for this year's pilgrims, said he has received assurance from President Arroyo that the PAF's C-130 plane will be made available to Filipino Muslims who wish to perform Hajj this year.

"Hopefully, all our pilgrims can make it to Saudi Arabia," Jikiri said. He said the first delegation of pilgrims will leave for Saudi Arabia on November 11.

Many Filipino Muslims may miss the Hajj this year due to lack of flights to Saudi Arabia. Earlier reports said the Saudi Embassy will only grant visas to pilgrims who have a roundtrip ticket with Saudia Airlines.

However, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Wali said the embassy will grant a visa to any pilgrim who has a roundtrip ticket regardless of what airline the pilgrim is taking.

Jikiri earlier asked the President to intervene to persuade the Saudi embassy to provide the appropriate measures to help Filipino Muslims fulfill this obligatory act of worship.

All the parties concerned have agreed to adopt measures aimed at ensuring a smooth and orderly movement of the pilgrims.