JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah is crowded these days with the arrival of large numbers of pilgrims from different parts of the world to perform Umrah.
On the first day of Ramadan, 10 flights of Saudi Arabian Airlines arrived between 9 p.m. and 12 midnight. One source estimated the number of passengers who arrived at that night to more than 4,000.
The presence of long queues in front of immigration counters and the squatting of passengers in the airport lounge were evident of the unprecedented crowd.
Being the main gateway of the millions of pilgrims who come from around the world to perform Haj and Umrah, KAIA receives the lion's share of these guests of God. The inflow of pilgrims coming for Umrah has doubled in recent years, as most Muslims prefer to perform the ritual during the holy month.
Some sources attributed the airport crowd at lack of immigration staff. But Brig. Abdul Rahman Al-Tuwairaqi, director of the Passport Department at KAIA, denied that allegation. “We arrange different queues for the arriving passengers; one for Saudis, another for GCC citizens and the third for other nationals,” he said.
He said the crowding of passengers at the airport came as a result of the return of a large number of foreign workers after completing their annual vacation in their respective countries, along with the arrival of a large number of Umrah pilgrims.
Salim Al-Bayyari, an official working for Haj and Umrah, said the tremendous increase in the number of pilgrims had several negative effects including overcrowding at the airport.
“The problem exacerbates when the pilgrims return when most of them will be stranded at airport without having a flight to take them as the airlines often fail to follow the schedule,” he said.
In a previous statement, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said the government was keen on solving this complex issue. He emphasized the need to develop the capabilities of airport staff.
Mazin Khashoggi, director of KAIA, said the ongoing expansion project would allow the airport to accommodate 3,800 pilgrims per hour.
A number of airport workers said the crowding of pilgrims at the time of departure is more troublesome for the pilgrims than at the time of arrival as the pilgrims would be tired after performing their rituals.
“Pilgrims should not reach the airport much ahead the time of their scheduled departure.” Many pilgrims squat in the airport for several days waiting for their flights.
The Health Department at the airport said it was screening arriving pilgrims for swine flu. “Four thermal cameras are being operated around the clock at the airport to detect swine flu cases,” one health official told Arab News.
He said samples from suspected cases are sent to laboratories to confirm the case. “We also distribute pamphlets to enhance public awareness on the disease,” the official said.
Dr. Sami Badawood, director of health affairs in Jeddah, has stated that his department would deploy an adequate number of staff at KAIA and Jeddah Islamic Port during this peak Umrah season.
