Saudi terminal can receive 3,800 pilgrims per hour

The Hajj terminal of Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport is back to full steam with pilgrims began streaming in from all over the world.

On Wednesday, the terminal received 20 Hajj flights, starting with a flight from Islamabad carrying 300 Pakistani pilgrims.

A total of 27 flights will arrive on Thursday, and the number of flights arriving will reach up to 144 daily (six flights every hour) as the season picks up steam.

Faisal Al-Sughair, deputy chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, on Wednesday made an inspection tour of the terminal and expressed satisfaction over the elaborate arrangements.

Al-Sughair was briefed on the operation plan for this year’s Hajj, including arrangements and facilities made by the airport authority and various government agencies to receive the pilgrims and expedite their processing.

With a capacity to accommodate 47 planes simultaneously, the terminal can receive 3,800 pilgrims an hour during the arrival phase and 3,500 pilgrims during the departure phase.

In addition to 142 immigration counters, 158 check-in counters, 10 luggage conveyer belts and 16 customs counters, the terminal has 120 counters of the Ministry of Hajj and 240 counters of the United Agents Office, which is the official agency responsible for receiving arriving pilgrims.

The arrival of flights will continue until Sept. 30 (Dhul Hijjah 6) and the departure phase will start on Oct. 8 and last until Nov. 7 .

This article was first published in the Saudi Gazette.