Such errors on the part of Saudia have contributed to lowering the quality of services and performance of the national carrier year after year. This happens at a time when several aviation companies in the neighboring countries have been making giant strides and improving their standards from local to international with winning international awards for their excellent service.

A reader commented on the story of Haj pilgrims: “The pilgrims from the UAE are lucky, as this happens to them only once in a year. As for us, we are facing similar situations 365 days in a year.” The reader also reflected feelings of many people while describing the low quality of service being offered by our national carrier. He also drew attention to the painful situation of the airline as well as its actual capacity. This necessitates taking measures to restore glory of our national carrier.

It is noteworthy that the transportation of about 1.5 million Haj pilgrims was a resounding success this year in all senses of the word. Therefore, it is distressing that something terrible happened to the pilgrims while they were departing to their countries after performance of the pilgrimage, and that is because of the errors on the part of Saudia.

We hope that God may reckon their suffering and reward them by talking of the virtues of Saudi Arabian Airlines — and this is only if any virtues remain to its credit after a prolonged commission of errors not only to the Saudi citizens but also to passengers from other countries.

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