RIYADH, 31 October 2004 — Even though Saudi Arabian Airlines is operating extra flights during Ramadan to cope with the seasonal Umrah rush, there is still a long queue of waitlisted passengers at the airports both in Riyadh and Jeddah.
As a result, SV1070, which was to have left King Abdul Aziz International Airport at 7.30 p.m. on Friday night, finally took off at 11 p.m., three and a half hours behind schedule, due to a host of problems compounded by the late arrival of 90 Chinese Umrah pilgrims and the aircraft’s engine trouble, among other things.
The boarding pass issued to passengers showed the boarding time as 1830 for the scheduled departure at 1930. Then came the announcement that the flight would take off at 2030. The passengers checked in and the aircraft headed down the runway before it halted. After remaining on board for an hour or so, the passengers were informed about some technical problem. They were further told that the plane would go back to the terminal to allow the maintenance staff to do the troubleshooting.
During this prolonged delay the aircraft’s air-conditioning system was malfunctioning. This caused some passengers to pace up and down the aisle with their babies in arm trying to pacify them.
Explaining the reasons for the delay, the flight supervisor told Arab News that it all started from King Khaled International Airport, where an incoming flight from China with 90 Chinese Umrah passengers on board landed one hour behind schedule.
The problem was further compounded by some technical problem which needed an hour or so fixing. During this time some passengers on board decided to offload their baggage and take another flight. This, he said, caused a further one-hour delay, as the cargo hold was full. As if this was not enough, a passenger developed a breathing problem and had to be given emergency aid. Finally, the passengers were airborne at 11 p.m.
Though Saudia blames the late arrival of passengers for flight delays, travel agents tell a different story. Both at Al-Ahram and Al-Moayyid Travels, Arab News was told that Saudi Arabian Airlines needs to mobilize extra flights to clear the Umrah rush and that the current 12-13 flights a day are totally inadequate. A visit to the airport terminals in both Riyadh and Jeddah showed long queues of wait-listed passengers at both ends, with some sleeping on the floor.
One of the passengers, Mohammed Rafiq, told Arab News: “I came to KKIA at 5 p.m. and it is now midnight. My waiting list number was 113. With each shift I am given a different number. In the meantime, some passengers use wasta or influence and jump the queue. Seven hours later, I have moved up only slightly on the waiting list.”
S. Nayagam of Al-Moayyid Travels said one of the problems they have been facing is that while their computer reservation system shows all the flights running full, a visit to Saudia’s reservation office gives a different picture. The passengers are issued confirmed tickets, he added. Another travel agent said the reason for closing the booking is that some passengers do block reservation and yet do not show up. “All this creates confusion,” he added.
