Saudi Gazette/Okaz JEDDAH – The Ministry of Haj has instructed Umrah companies to bring pilgrims to Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah eight hours prior to their flight departure. Pilgrims were also urged to double-check their departure schedules to avoid any last minute delays. The ministry has instigated the measure to prevent crowding at the airport as millions of pilgrims who came to the Kingdom for Ramadan are set to depart. In a related directive, the Ministry has made it compulsory for Umrah companies to adhere to a strict set of guidelines. These include providing a full list of pilgrims who have left the Kingdom along with their personal details and flight numbers within three days of departure and providing food and accommodation to pilgrims who have missed their flights. The ministry has made it clear that it will revoke the license of any company which fails to abide by the new guidelines. Meanwhile, senior officials at King Abdulaziz International Airport have said they are ready to deal with the max exodus of pilgrims. Due to the construction of new terminals at the airport, passenger numbers have increased 14.3 percent this year.
