JEDDAH, 23 October — The number of pilgrims attending the upcoming Haj is expected to rise by 15 percent, according to Dr. Khaled ibn Bakr, director-general of Saudi Arabian Airlines. He also expects a corresponding rise in the number of Haj pilgrims arriving and returning on Saudia flights. During the last Haj season the airline carried 750,000 pilgrims. The director-general appealed the airline’s officials to rise to the task and provide comfortable and safe journeys for the pilgrims in a meeting here yesterday to review final preparations for the pilglrim service. (SPA)