جاهزية قطاع الطيران لمغادرة الحجاج
Civil Aviation Authority Announces Sector Readiness for Departure of Pilgrims After Completion of Hajj Rituals
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced the completion of the aviation sector’s preparations across all airports in the Kingdom for the departure of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj season (1447 AH), facilitating their travel back to their home countries with ease and convenience. GACA stated that a total of more than 9,520,836 passengers were received, including 1,485,729 pilgrims, through air entry points, via 60,625 flights operated by 86 airlines during the pilgrims’ arrival phase. This took place between the first of Dhu Al-Qadah and the eighth of Dhu Al-Hijjah, within an integrated operational system implemented across six international airports designated for serving pilgrims. The departure phase will begin on the 13th of Dhu Al-Hijjah and continue until the 15th of Muharram 1448 AH, under a comprehensive operational plan implemented by MATARAT Holding in cooperation with relevant government and operational entities, with the aim of facilitating the return journey and ensuring smooth procedures across all airports serving pilgrims. The operational plan includes King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Yanbu, Taif International Airport, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, in addition to 13 departure terminals dedicated to serving pilgrims. More than 22,000 employees are involved, working around the clock to ensure operational efficiency and the swift completion of procedures.