Saudia Wraps Up First Hajj Phase, Transporting 0.5 Million Pilgrims

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Saudia has completed the first phase of its Hajj operations for 1445H. The final flight, SV5827, landed in Jeddah, bringing 445 pilgrims, marking a successful 32-day phase.

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has successfully completed the first phase of its Hajj season operations for 1445H, marked by the final arrival flights. The last arrival flight, SV5827, landed today at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah from Riyadh, bringing 445 Hajj pilgrims.

Over the 32-day arrival phase, effective collaboration among various government entities ensured a seamless experience for the pilgrims. This coordinated effort reflects the directives of Saudi Arabia’s leadership to provide top-quality services to Hajj pilgrims.

In total, Saudia transported 509,000 Hajj pilgrims on 3,400 flights from over 150 destinations worldwide during this phase. The operation achieved an 88% On-Time Performance rate. Pilgrims enjoyed a range of enhanced services, including digital offerings and inflight entertainment programs featuring educational content on Hajj regulations and rituals in multiple languages.

Amer Alkhushail, Chief Executive Officer of Saudia Hajj and Umrah, said: “The operations during the arrival phase were excellent. The success of the process was due to a strategic plan that considered travel demand and fleet capacity, enabling smooth operational execution and high-quality service delivery. I would like to take the opportunity and extend my appreciation to the entire team in Saudia for their significant contributions in enhancing guest experience through providing high level air and on ground services.”

Following the arrival of the last flight, Saudia has promptly commenced preparations for the departure phase. Numerous meetings are being held to discuss optimal strategies for implementing the second phase, aiming to streamline airport movements and ensure On-Time Performance throughout the phases.