The airline will provide 107,000 international and 12,800 domestic seats for Hajj pilgrims
In the lead up to Hajj season, Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has announced that it will have a dedicated fleet of 14 aircraft for Hajj pilgrims, which are expected to make 268 international flights as well as 32 domestic flights.
Pilgrims visiting the Kingdom will be flown in from all over the world to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah or Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. From there, they will embark on their journey to Makkah (Mecca). After visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, they will be flown back to their home countries.
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Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation director general Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar stated that the national carrier had concluded all preparations to start transporting pilgrims. The plan follows the directions of the Supreme Hajj Committee headed by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior, and the Central Hajj Committee, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Province, in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and Vision 2030’s Pilgrim Experience Programme.
Onboard, pilgrims will have access to in-flight perks, including hearing the Hajj call and informative documentaries about Hajj and Umrah through a dedicated channel. There will also be content provided to prepare pilgrims for their Hajj rites.
Saudia has mobilised a specialised team working around the clock, the members of which are equipped with the technical prowess to ensure seamless service of every step of the journey
The airline is also coordinating with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and all other government agencies operating at airports, as well as other entities involved in the delivery of Hajj services, including Hajj associations, the Automotive Association, and trip organisers in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
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To streamline operations and ease the pressure on airports, Saudia will transport the pilgrims’ luggage to their places of residence in Makkah or Madinah, and then back to the luggage processing areas at the departure airports.
The airline will also hold an awareness campaign to familiarise pilgrims with the rules and regulations of luggage handling and related procedures to ensure the smooth processing of their belongings.
For more information, visit www.saudia.com