SAUDIA Group Welcomes the First Flights of Pilgrims for Hajj Season 2023

SAUDIA Group has commenced operations for the anticipated Hajj season 2023 through the national flag carrier SAUDIA and the low-cost carrier, flyadeal. The group's meticulous planning encompasses a comprehensive approach, ensuring the provision of top-tier air transport services that adhere to the most stringent safety and efficiency protocols. With a commitment to excellence, SAUDIA presents an array of carefully curated packages that aim to optimize every aspect of the travel experience, promising nothing short of remarkable service quality. The first group of Hajj pilgrims arrived at Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, on SAUDIA flight SV 3891. The flight had 298 pilgrims on board and was coming from Lucknow in India. flyadeal also received Hajj flight  F3 6001, which arrived from Kolkata, India, with 326 pilgrims on board. Over the next few weeks, the Kingdom will witness an increase in the number of pilgrims arriving from four continents around the world.

His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group was present for the first Hajj flight and warmly greeted the pilgrims, extending his heartfelt wishes for a successful and fulfilling Hajj journey. He stated that the high-quality services offered to the pilgrims at all touch points align with the directives of our country’s wise leadership, ensuring that the pilgrims are provided with required amenities and conveniences, guaranteeing a serene and peaceful environment for them to carry out their rituals.

His Excellency said that SAUDIA Group plays a crucial role in achieving the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 in the Hajj and Umrah sector, by working on the development and enhancement of the travel experience through the latest technologies and integrated digital connectivity with various agencies. Additionally, both SAUDIA and flyadeal are expecting new aircraft soon, which will allow them to increase their seat capacity and reach new destinations.

Furthermore, Al-Omar explained that SAUDIA has the accumulated experience necessary to efficiently handle its operational processes throughout the year, including peak seasons, while meeting all quality requirements and standards. He pointed out that one of the major operational challenges of the 2023 Hajj season is the overlapping of the pilgrims’ departure time with the summer seasonal plan. However, he asserted that a solid plan has been set so that the two plans run simultaneously in a seamless fashion as to not affect the traffic flow at airports nor interfere with flight times.

His Excellency also stressed that the best thing about the Hajj season plan is that it’s carried out in cooperation with various governmental and private agencies, most notably the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Pilgrims Experience Program, the General Authority of Civil Aviation and other agencies that provide services to pilgrims. He added that all companies affiliated with the SAUDIA Group work in harmony to provide air transport and logistics services of the highest quality standards to the pilgrims.

It's worth noting that SAUDIA has devised a comprehensive plan for the Hajj season, encompassing the allocation of over one million and 200 thousand seats to transport pilgrims from 114 destinations, both scheduled and seasonal. The airline will receive pilgrims at six stations, including Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Dammam, Taif, and Yanbu. To enhance the sacred journey experience, the aircraft have been specially equipped, featuring main screens and overhead screens that will display announcements of Miqat (a boundary for pilgrims to start intent for the performance of Ḥajj) and prayer times. These screens also offer an extensive selection of Islamic content, amounting to an impressive 724 hours in 14 different languages.

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