Jeddah: Around 600,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive at the Madinah airport and visit the Prophet’s Mosque ahead of the Haj season this year, a spokesman of the Haj and Umrah Ministry has said.
All arrangements to receive the huge number of pilgrims are in place at the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, said Hatem Al-Qadi.
Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, which is also well prepared to receive pilgrims, has allocated 14 lounges among other arrangements.
“The first group of pilgrims of different nationalities arrived in the Kingdom on the 1st of Dul Qaada in 60 flights. They were met by officials representing all the sectors working to serve the pilgrims, including nine Tawafa establishments and the Unified Agents Office.
“The number of pilgrims this year will be equivalent to last year and not more, because of the ongoing expansion works at the holy sites. The quota for pilgrims from outside the Kingdom will continue less by 20 percent and by 50 percent for domestic pilgrims,” the spokesman said.
Khaled Al-Harbi, director of Haj and Umrah affairs at the Jeddah airport, said 14 lounges have been allocated for receiving pilgrims from outside the Kingdom to perform Haj.
“In addition to 10 jet bridges, 42 counters have been opened for handling passport procedures and 120 checkpoints set up to ensure smooth procedures for the guests of God,” he added.