GACA completes its preparations to receive the guest of Allah

Riyadh 12, July 2018

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) completed its preparations for the current Hajj season (1439) through the Kingdom’s international airports (King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Taif International Airport).  They have started to prepare an integrated operational plan to accommodate the expected increase in the number of pilgrims during this year Hajj season (1439).

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah will begin to welcome its guests starting on Saturday, the first of Dhu al-Qa’da 1439 (14 July, 2018).  The first pilgrims this year will be arriving via Bangladesh Airline at the Hajj and Umrah Terminal Complex in King Abdulaziz International Airport.  While at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, a number of flights arriving from Karachi, Pakistan via Pakistan Airways.  The number of flights this year is expected to reach (6,072), of which (2,689) will be arriving through Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

His Excellency, Mr. Abdul Hakim Al Tamimi, President of GACA have affirmed that GACA is working to implement the directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to provide the pilgrims with the best services, provide them with the top notch facilities and simplify their arrival procedures to perform their rituals with ease and comfort.

Al Tamimi pointed to the keenness of GACA in providing all the necessary avenues to simplify the pilgrim’s arrival procedures and reduce their arrival and departure check-in and out time.  GACA will use all the facilities it has available in coordination with government and private agencies operating at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Taif International Airport.  An operational plan approved by GACA, it aims to conclude all the necessary preparations, getting all terminals into top-notch shape in readiness for the arrival of pilgrims.  The quick processing of the arriving pilgrims through the airports and on to the holy sites, all while providing them with the all the assistance necessary.

His Excellency also stressed the need to provide the best services to pilgrims arriving at the Kingdom’s airports and to work on the flow of air traffic during their arrival and departure.  He stressed on the completion of all the necessary means for a smooth Hajj operation.

It is worth mentioning that the Hajj and Umrah Terminal Complex at KAIA is characterized by converting all of terminals for the arrival incoming flights mode from the beginning of the month of Dhu al Qa’dah to the sixth of Dhul al Hijjah.  Subsequently, then all terminals will be completely set up for departing flights only, starting on the 14 of Dhul al Hijjah until the 15 of Muharam.  The terminal capacity at peak time is estimated at 3800 pilgrims per hour.  The terminal complex includes (14) terminal halls, (136) check-in counters, (192) immigration counters, (18) travel gates, (10) conveyor belts, two first class lounges, and (100) parking spaces for buses, as well as an aircraft parking area that can accommodate (26) aircrafts simultaneously.

The Hajj and Umrah Terminal Complex at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is unique in a way that terminals are converted into one direction (arrival/departure) mode.  This mode of operation allows for a smooth operation for the pilgrims movements.  This is achieved in cooperation with government and the private entities working at the airport.  Scheduled flights are operated according to a specific time frame, and the terminals will be re-configured for departure mode only from the 13 of Dhu al-Hijah to the 15 of Muharram 1440.