Six Saudi airports are on high alert as they are set to receive millions of Hajj pilgrims from around the globe. The airports, which include four of the world’s top 100 airports according to UK Skytrax, are prepared to welcome 1.7 million pilgrims throughout the Hajj season via 7,700 flights from countries worldwide. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) upgraded the international airports, in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj, to ensure that travellers’ geographical needs were met.
In 2019, 93% of the 1.7 million foreign pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia by air. Hajj and Umrah operation departments have been briefed to ensure that the airports have high absorptive capacity to ensure a smooth and efficient operation.
The Ministry of Hajj has been proactive in launching awareness campaigns to ensure that the necessary information is given to travellers to help them acclimatise to the local systems and customs. The campaign, in 11 different languages, was launched in the travellers’ countries to ensure that the message is delivered clearly and accurately.
Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, announced that Saudi Arabia plans to increase the numbers of pilgrims in line with Saudi Vision 2030 during an official occasion in Jeddah on June 4.
The aim is to ensure that the arrival, stay and departure of pilgrims is as smooth and enjoyable as possible, helping to maintain its position as a highly significant spiritual destination.
