Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Hotels near the airport have been put on alert to receive pilgrims whose flight times have not been confirmed, according to Haj and Umrah Director at King Abdulaziz International Airport Abdulmajeed Al-Afghani.

They will be staying in the hotels until the flight times have been confirmed. Fifteen Haj and Umrah lounges have been prepared at King Abdulaziz International Airport to serve the departing pilgrims. Over 12,000 government employees will serve the pilgrims.

Officers from General Authority of Civil Aviation, Police, Ministry of Haj and Traffic Department have been stationed at the entrances of the Haj lounges to ensure that only pilgrims whose flights have been confirmed can enter.

King Abdulaziz International Airport received 4,863 flights and served 966,546 pilgrims flown through 95 airlines companies, with Indonesia topping the countries in terms of the number of flights and pilgrims followed by Pakistan, Indian, Turkey, Egypt and the rest of the countries.

Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport received 3,156 flights and served 675,701 pilgrims flown through 51 airlines companies. The Haj lounges are fully equipped to receive passengers arriving and departing the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Haj and Umrah’s bus stations will double-check all buses leaving the city and double-check the flight times.