Karachi, Saudia Airlines, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has completed the first phase of its operations for the 1445H Hajj season, transporting over 160,000 Pakistani pilgrims as part of the more than half a million attendees this year.
According to Saudia Airlines, the operation saw 509,000 pilgrims ferried on 3,400 flights from over 150 global destinations during the arrival phase. This phase, lasting 32 days, achieved an on-time performance rate of 88%. The carrier highlighted the collaborative effort of various government entities that ensured a smooth experience for the pilgrims, reflecting the commitment of Saudi Arabia's leadership to provide top-quality services.
Amer Alkhushail, Chief Executive Officer of Saudia Hajj and Umrah, emphasized the success of the operations, attributing it to strategic planning that matched travel demand with fleet capacity, thereby facilitating smooth operational execution and high-quality service delivery. He also praised the Saudia team for enhancing the guest experience through innovative air and ground services.
Following the conclusion of this phase, with the last flight, SV5827, arriving in Jeddah from Riyadh with 445 pilgrims, Saudia has already started planning for the departure phase. This includes numerous strategy meetings aimed at streamlining airport movements and maintaining punctuality throughout the ongoing Hajj season.