Saudi airlines say they are ready for Haj challenge

AIR PLEDGE: Airlines in Saudi Arabia say they are ready for the huge influx of Haj pilgrims.

Airline companies in Saudi Arabia have said they are ready to handle the three million pilgrims expected to arrive for this year's Haj in December.

The pledge was made at the annual meeting of BARSA (the Board of Airline Representatives in Saudi Arabia) held in Jeddah on Sunday to discuss preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage.

More than 230 pilgrim flights are scheduled to arrive daily at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, Arab News reported on Monday, and The Haj Terminal has a capacity to handle more than 3,700 pilgrims an hour.

The Ministry of Haj, the Unified Agents Office and the Cars Syndicate together have deployed more than 5,000 temporary workers at KAIA and the Haj Terminal.

About three million Muslims from around the world are expected to perform this year’s Haj which is due to begin on around December 6.

“We work as one team to overcome obstacles. We have geared ourselves up to deal with unexpected situations that might come up during the Haj season as well as responding to the demands of the pilgrimage,” Khaled Al-Mulhim, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines told the paper.

A representative from the Haj Ministry representative stressed the need for a total revision of services provided by the airlines.

He added that ground-handling companies should improve efficiency by increasing staff.

The ministry official said airline companies should provide necessary facilities, such as accommodation, to pilgrims whose flights are delayed for various reasons.

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