JEDDAH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the success of the operational plan of this year’s Hajj with the departure of the last flight of pilgrims.
More than 1.8 million pilgrims returned safely to their countries after completing their pilgrimage, in a complete integrated system of services that was provided by the government of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Vice Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat said the program of grouping departure pilgrims through land entry points, seaports and airports, was done in cooperation with the government and private sector to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims.
This was achieved through the electronic monitoring system with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Hajj transport companies, supervisory departments at the ministry and the General Car Syndicate.
The program closely followed the monitoring centers of pilgrims grouping in Makkah and Madinah, at Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah and at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, and the movement of pilgrims traveling between Makkah and Madinah, and the moderating center at Jeddah Islamic Port.
According to the Monitor and Control Center, 10,622 lost pilgrims were guided in Makkah and 6,246 lost pilgrims in Madinah were guided to their bases.
The “Eyab” initiative, in coordination between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and GACA, facilitated the travel procedure of pilgrims from their housing locations and before reaching the airport. This initiative targeted pilgrims from Indonesia, India and Malaysia.
Eyab facilitates check-in departure procedures for the pilgrims on their way home. This is accomplished by easing the procedures of accepting pilgrims luggage at their place of residence and registering their departure automatically before arriving at the airport through specialized electronic routes.
This is in addition to improving and enriching the travel experience throughout the Kingdom’s airports by providing an environment that gives a distinctive impression and reflects the culture of Saudi Arabia. AN Jeddah