RIYADH: Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman has set up a special committee to explore the possibility of using the Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Yanbu for Haj pilgrims.
The committee has also been tasked with suggesting ways to ease the flow of pilgrims in the ziyarah area of the Prophet’s Mosque during the Haj season.
The decision was made during a meeting in Madinah, presided over by the governor, to prepare the region for the forthcoming Haj season.
During the Haj pilgrimage, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey are allowed to operate direct flights to Madinah airport from their home destinations.
Although the Yanbu airport operates international flights, it does not receive or send out Haj pilgrims. The pilgrims arrive and exit through the Haj terminal in Jeddah during the season. However, a large number of Haj pilgrims travel through the Yanbu seaport.
The Yanbu airport was upgraded in 2009 to operate international flights with expanded arrival and departure lounges. The contract for the airport SR188-million expansion project was signed with a national company in June 2006.
The airport features two air bridges at Gates 1 and 2 that link passengers directly with aircraft, a first for regional airports in the Kingdom.
Sami bin Ahmed Eisawi, director general of Haj and Umrah management in Madinah, said the governor has directed that top quality accommodation is provided to the pilgrims and all the safety requirements are followed.
Prince Faisal said the massive SR500 billion expansion projects are on track in Madinah.
“Madinah is changing, so that it could meet the needs of society besides ensuring safety and comfort to pilgrims and visitors.”
The governor said the city’s administrators have formed a committee to execute and monitor all projects.
The committee would make sure that all contractors respect and protect the city’s Islamic architectural heritage.
The committee has also been tasked with suggesting ways to ease the flow of pilgrims in the ziyarah area of the Prophet’s Mosque during the Haj season.
The decision was made during a meeting in Madinah, presided over by the governor, to prepare the region for the forthcoming Haj season.
During the Haj pilgrimage, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey are allowed to operate direct flights to Madinah airport from their home destinations.
Although the Yanbu airport operates international flights, it does not receive or send out Haj pilgrims. The pilgrims arrive and exit through the Haj terminal in Jeddah during the season. However, a large number of Haj pilgrims travel through the Yanbu seaport.
The Yanbu airport was upgraded in 2009 to operate international flights with expanded arrival and departure lounges. The contract for the airport SR188-million expansion project was signed with a national company in June 2006.
The airport features two air bridges at Gates 1 and 2 that link passengers directly with aircraft, a first for regional airports in the Kingdom.
Sami bin Ahmed Eisawi, director general of Haj and Umrah management in Madinah, said the governor has directed that top quality accommodation is provided to the pilgrims and all the safety requirements are followed.
Prince Faisal said the massive SR500 billion expansion projects are on track in Madinah.
“Madinah is changing, so that it could meet the needs of society besides ensuring safety and comfort to pilgrims and visitors.”
The governor said the city’s administrators have formed a committee to execute and monitor all projects.
The committee would make sure that all contractors respect and protect the city’s Islamic architectural heritage.
