Pilgrims’ First Flight Arrives in Jeddah Monday

Hajj flight operation began on Monday as Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) first flight departed with 328 pilgrims on board from Benazir International Airport, Islamabad early Monday morning.

Jeddah, MINA – Hajj and Umrah Complex at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah received here Monday the first pilgrims’ flight coming from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan through “Shaheen Air” carrying 325 passengers, SPA reported.

The passengers were received by President Abdul-Hakim bin Mohammad Al-Tamimi of General Authority of Civil Aviation and a number of officials of the government sectors operating at the airport.

On this occasion, he said that paying attention and care for pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors and providing them with the best services since their arrival in the Kingdom until their departure comes in accordance with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to exploit all capabilities and potentials to enable pilgrims to perform their rituals in comfort and easily, expecting the increase of the number of pilgrims arriving by air this year by 20% compared to 2016.

The Hajj Terminal at KAIA has been well equipped for arrival and departure of pilgrims. The terminal will receive pilgrims from the first day of Dhul Qada (July 24) until Dhul Hijja 6 (August 28) which will witness the arrival of the last Haj flight.

The departure of pilgrims after the completion of Hajj will start on Dhul Hijja 14 (Sept. 5) and will conclude on Muharram 15, 1439H (Oct. 6).

The Hajj terminal is prepared to receive as many as 3,800 pilgrims per hour at the peak time of the Hajj and Umrah seasons and to send off about 3,500 of them.

All the concerned government and private departments have already started their work at the terminal to serve pilgrims and facilitate their arrival and departure procedures. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)