A number of Saudi and foreign airlines have started providing city baggage check-in services to Haj pilgrims in support of the government’s endeavors to improve the services being rendered to the guests of God.

“Several airlines have shown interest in providing city baggage check-in services to foreign Haj pilgrims in coordination with cargo companies as the service has proved helpful to airlines in carrying out smooth operation of their Haj flights without delay,” said a senior official of Alpha Cargo.

He said the city check-in service would benefit thousands of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indonesian, Turkish, Malaysian, African and other pilgrims, and will help reduce overcrowding of pilgrims at airports. “Our company has the manpower and logistics to provide the service, including the latest X-ray facilities,” he said. 

He said Alpha Cargo, which is an IATA certified agent, intends to expand its check-in and cargo handling facilities in the coming years. “Our aim is to become a dependable city check-in provider for Saudi aviation industry, especially during the Haj and Umrah pilgrim seasons,” he added.

Last year Alpha provided city check-in services to Hajis of Biman and Flynas airlines. “Biman has expressed its satisfaction over our service as it helped them operate their return Haj flights on time,” he said, adding that Alpha has been providing the service to Flynas since in 2013.

He said pilgrims have been happy over Alpha Cargo’s services for making their return journey comfortable, as the company delivered their baggage to concerned airlines check-in counters at airports prior to their departure.

The company’s staff members pick up bags of pilgrims right from their rooms in Makkah and Madinah to ensure security until the baggage is delivered to the airline professionally, meeting the expectations of passengers and airlines, the official said. “We have deployed ample workers and trucks to ensure smooth operation,” he added.