The number of Umrah pilgrims who have arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah since the beginning of the Umrah season, from the middle of the month of Safar until Monday, is 1.7 million.
Turki Al-Deeb, director of public relations and information at the airport, was quoted as saying in the local media that Umrah pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom on 13,046 different flights. He said that the airport authorities recruited approximately 7,000 employees representing 27 government and private agencies to aid in processing the papers of the pilgrims.
“They performed their duties around the clock to provide the necessary services for the worshippers,” he added, pointing out that during the same period the airport saw the departure of 1.16 million Umrah pilgrims to their home countries on a total of 6,542 flights.
The Haj and Umrah complex at the airport in Jeddah includes 14 arrival and departure lounges allocated exclusively to the service of the pilgrims. The airport includes 26 aircraft parking bays with 10 mobile bridges, two operation centers, one control tower, 18 travel portals and 14 lounges for the pilgrims, in addition to 143 reception counters for passports, 120 reception counters for the counting committee of the Haj Ministry and 224 reception counters for the offices of travel agents.
The baggage claim belt is 1,180 meters long, and the airport also includes two lounges for first class passengers, along with a VIP lounge, a hotel with 123 rooms, a number of restaurants and a business area of over 9,000 sq. meters. The plaza area includes 40 prayer spaces and 32 water and washroom facilities.
Source: Arab News