These pilgrims had confirmed flights that were scheduled on time. Local newspapers published stories and pictures of the hundreds of stranded pilgrims at Jeddah airport.

These pictures showed us in poor light and go against the positive work that the government had carried out to make the Haj easy.

This year was by far the best Haj in terms of preparation and resolving problems, but the ending at the airport was bad. Are we incapable of solving this issue that keeps repeating every year?

SAMA and NAS entered the market and left because they could not compete with Saudia and so the problem remained without a solution in sight.

Delayed local and international flights have become normal. We all know how passengers struggle with delays. Passengers with children, and those who are elderly and sick are the ones who suffer the most. They spend long hours at airports without food or accommodation or even apologies from their carriers.

When passengers try to get answers from their airline employees, they simply say that the delay is out of their control. I would like to see a complete change in reservation and flight schedule systems, not only during Haj but also throughout the year. The director of Saudia said that 90 percent of flights are on time. Is that including the delayed flights in Jeddah? Even 10 percent of flights not being on time is a high percentage. Passengers will not accept a minute’s delay, then what about a 16-hour delay?

We are asking the General Authority for Civil Aviation to enforce international laws that punish airline carriers that delay flights. All that we’re asking for is justice.