King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah achieved a significant milestone during the peak Umrah season this year. The airport handled more than 5.3 million passengers over a five-week period from March 1 to April 5 (Ramadan 1 to Shawwal 7). This record-breaking number reflects the airport’s enhanced capacity to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims traveling for Umrah during the busy season.
Eng. Mazen Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports Company, praised the airport’s operational plans. These plans played a crucial role in managing the increased passenger traffic and ensuring the smooth flow of procedures for pilgrims. He highlighted that the meticulous implementation of these plans helped minimize waiting times for passengers. This enabled the efficient processing of travelers through the airport terminals.
The peak Umrah season also saw the airport handling an impressive 31,500 flights. Additionally, more than 6.4 million pieces of luggage were processed during this period. This surge in both passengers and baggage was successfully managed, thanks to the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in airport operations.
Eng. Johar credited the success of the operational plans to the continuous guidance and support from the Kingdom’s leadership. He mentioned the Emirate of Makkah Region, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), and the CEO of Matarat Holding Company. Additionally, he expressed his gratitude to the various government, security, and operational agencies at the airport. Their dedicated efforts were acknowledged for ensuring a seamless experience for pilgrims.
He emphasized that the success of the airport’s operations was a result of teamwork and collective coordination. All agencies worked under a unified approach to provide the best services to the guests of God. Eng. Johar also extended his thanks to the airport staff for their tireless work and commitment throughout the peak season.
Looking ahead, Eng. Johar assured that the airport will continue to implement well-structured operational plans to maintain smooth passenger flow. This will be particularly important during future seasons. Ensuring that pilgrims’ journeys remain efficient and comfortable is a priority. The King Abdulaziz International Airport remains dedicated to supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of pilgrims. This further cements its position as a key hub for international travel, especially during high-demand periods like Umrah.
