The Saudi General Directorate of Passports (GDP) has estimated that it takes around 40 seconds to complete the entry procedures of pilgrims arriving from around the world to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.
It said this estimation time starts from the moment pilgrims enter the specified lounge at King Abdulaziz Airport and until they leave the facility.
The GDP revealed that it completes the procedures of 70,000 pilgrims per day at peak time.
During a tour of King Abdulaziz Airport, Asharq Al-Awsat noted the speed of operations performed by around 200 employees, who work around the clock to complete the procedures of scheduled trips for Hajj.
More than 80 flights are scheduled per day and they are expected to reach 160 in August when the Hajj will take place.
According to statistics, some 673,000 pilgrims have arrived from outside Saudi Arabia for the annual rituals.
Some 93,726 pilgrims have benefited from the Makkah Route initiative, including around 45,000 who arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, totaling 113 flights.
The GDP is employing all of its capabilities to provide the best services to pilgrims from all over the world, Col. Hamdi al-Osaimi, director of operations and assistant commander of Passport Forces at King Abdulaziz Airport, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He explained that this year, many services have become electronic and pilgrims no longer needed dedicated cards and numbers.
Osaimi said the GDP seeks to utilize as much modern technology as possible in all its sectors, including airport services and the completion of travel procedures, especially for pilgrims.
It also trains its personnel to provide high quality services at a speedy time and deploys dozens of its staff to assist the pilgrims.
They speak more than 18 languages in order to facilitate the pilgrims’ movement and procedures upon arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport, guide them to their destinations and answer their queries.
