As a part of its 2023 Hajj preparations, Saudia Group says it will be transporting pilgrims from more than 100 scheduled destinations and 14 seasonal destinations to six airports in the Kingdom located in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Medina, Taif, and Yanbu.

Over 1.2 million seats have been set aside by Saudi Arabian flag carrier Saudia, flyadeal, and Saudi Private Aviation for pilgrims from around the world for the Hajj season of 2023. According to a press statement by Saudia Group, the integrated plan provides for an extra fleet of 12 aircraft in addition to optimising the usage of the 164 aircraft in the Saudia group’s current fleet.

To six airports in the Kingdom, including those in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Medina, Taif, and Yanbu, Saudia Group will be carrying pilgrims from more than 100 scheduled destinations and 14 seasonal destinations. The airline group says that its 8,000 cockpit and cabin crew can speak a total of 42 different languages and will graciously serve the guests during their trips; reflecting the generous nature of Saudi hospitality, says Saudia.

It adds that the strategy calls for cooperation between all Saudia Group subsidiaries, particularly those that deal with serving pilgrims, such as Saudi Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI), Saudi Ground Services (SGS), and Saudi Airlines Catering Company (SACC), all of which will work nonstop and at full capacity throughout the Hajj season. Through digital platforms, trained staff, and other integrated services across all sites, Saudia seeks to offer the best air transport and logistic services, as well as other services for pilgrims upon their arrival and departure.

“Through our accumulated experience, capable employees, and our relentless pursuit to offer the best technical services that guarantee a smooth travel experience, Saudia Group is ready to implement a new Hajj plan. This operational plan is in line with the directives of the Supreme Hajj Committee, headed by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior; the Central Hajj Committee headed by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region and in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Programme,” says Amer Alkhushail, Chief Hajj and Umrah Officer at Saudia Group.

The statement says that as part of its effort to enhance its operational share and invest in its reputation by offering air transport services in a distinctively spiritual environment, Saudia Group recently struck a number of agreements with various authorities to serve pilgrims in numerous countries. Additionally, the group strives for operational effectiveness while adhering strictly to safety regulations, which are its top concerns.

To deliver the best services and carry out the plan, the company has mobilised its human and digital resources in a number of ways, including the performance monitoring team, the terminal operations centre team, as well as the team in charge of the follow-up and pre-coordination with all relevant sectors and authorities. These teams all operate continuously, under Saudia’s direct supervision.

Al Khushail also highlighted the importance of integrating performance with various government stakeholders at airports like the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) along with all companies involved in organising Hajj trips inside and outside the Kingdom. Al Khushail revealed that Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina will receive the first flights arriving in the Kingdom on May 21.

It adds that Saudia Group has also expanded its Hajj season plan activities to include sharing awareness messages to pilgrims in their languages through the official means in their countries, Hajj missions, Hajj organisations present in Makkah and Madinah, and across Hajj residences. In these messages, the company clarifies all matters related to the pilgrims’ journey, including details related to baggage, its weights and sizes, as well as mechanisms for accepting it at airports upon departure after the end of the Hajj, in order to facilitate their procedures beyond expectations.