GACA president: Air transport is one of the main contributors for Hajj and Umrah services

January 9, 2024

His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, confirmed that air transportation is one of the main contributors for Hajj and Umrah services, as it serves up to 97% of pilgrims coming from abroad, and it begins receiving pilgrims from the beginning of the month of Dhul-Qi’dah, and their service continues until departure. In continuous cooperation with relevant authorities in all countries.

Yesterday, during his participation in the opening session of the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition in its third edition for the Hajj season of 1445 AH, which was held in the city of Jeddah under the title “The Road to Hajj,” His Excellency explained that the innovative initiatives launched by the Authority during the Hajj season of 1444 AH contributed to the success of the plan. The authority provided an exceptional Hajj experience for pilgrims, helped them facilitate Hajj procedures and made their journey more comfortable and smooth, taking advantage of technical and digital services, indicating that the authority is continuing its efforts during the next Hajj season through cooperation with all concerned parties.

He said: “The efforts and preparations made by the authority contributed to facilitating the arrival of 1.592 million pilgrims by air, representing approximately 97% of the total number of pilgrims, through 6 airports (Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, Dammam, Taif, Yanbu) during the arrival phase, as a result of Early preparation for scheduling Hajj trips, and automating the work of the committee supervising scheduling.

He added that there are more than 240,000 pilgrims who have benefited from the “Mecca Route” initiative, which has made it easier for pilgrims to complete all procedures for coming to the Kingdom before leaving their countries, and more than 680,000 pilgrims have also benefited. Pilgrims are able to depart from 14 international destinations on board 16 national and foreign air carriers. The “Traveler Without Bag” initiative at Jeddah and Medina airports, has made it easier for pilgrims to complete their travel procedures, receive luggage tags, and board the plane from their residences.

His Excellency stated that the “Pre-shipping Zamzam Water Bottles” initiative helped pilgrims pre-ship Zamzam Water Bottles on transit flights and thus reduced the burden on the ground handling and baggage handling systems at Jeddah and Medina airports.

He stressed that the GACA will continue its efforts in the coming season to ensure the comfort of pilgrims and contribute to the success of the season, through the continuation of the work of the supervisory committee formed by the Authority to coordinate between public and private agencies to regulate the movement of the pilgrims at airports, and work to automate the work of the work teams specialized in monitoring the operation.

Al-Duailej called on the heads of Hajj delegations and all air carriers in sisterly Islamic countries to coordinate in advance with the GACA to issue flight permits, schedule flights, and agree on time slots with airports, as well as work to select appropriate carriers and aircraft that comply with safety standards to secure and provide a comfortable trip for pilgrims.

His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation thanked all the parties that participated in the success of the GACA’s operational plan during the last Hajj season, which provided various forms of support and assistance, expressing his aspiration for continued cooperation with various parties to continue their mission of serving the Umrah visitors.

It is noteworthy that the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition is an important window for consolidating the bonds of communication with various countries and peoples of the Arab and Islamic world, regionally and globally, based on the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which presents an integrated strategy to develop the Hajj and Umrah system by harnessing the energies and capabilities to serve the Umrah visitors and provide programs. And qualitative initiatives, and working to develop decision-making processes and sustain the quality of services.