ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP) Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has arranged a huge complex at Madinatul Hujjaj, Jeddah to facilitate the hassal-free return of thousands of pilgrims. The Complex has an ample accommodation to handle at one time 5,000 passengers with proper rooms to accommodate Hajjaj. This facility would be jointly managed by PIA and Pakistan’s Hajj Mission (PHM). An official at Ministry of Religious Affairs told APP here on Thursday that the national carrier in coordination with PHM would bring its passengers at Haji Camp like facility at Jeddah at least 20-24 hours prior to departure and as soon as they disembark from buses, their baggage is placed in a big hall in parallel rows with a display broad of flight number on the wall.
The official said separate areas are demarcated flight wise in the Complex.
He said Hajjaj will be checked-in and their baggage will be accepted as soon as they would arrive and then they will be escorted to their allocated rooms at the Complex where they can take some rest.
The official said the screened baggage will directly reach airside at Hajj terminal and passengers will be brought from the mentioned facility to the Hajj terminal 5 hours prior to flight departure where they will proceed straight to processing hall.
The Complex also encloses eating places, shops and medical facility and in case the flight is delayed for some reason, the passengers will be retained back at the Facility and they do not need to wait at airport for longer hours he said.
When asked about the other steps taken for facilitation of Hujjaj, the official said metal detectors have been arranged to screen Hajjis before they are transported to terminal.It will also save significant dedicated baggage handling teams would also be available at Jeddah and on arrivals in Pakistan to ensure smooth handling of Hujjaj baggage.
With all the arrangements this year, the government hopes that Haj operation 2011 would be more successful and Hujjaj be better facilitated.
The official said separate areas are demarcated flight wise in the Complex.
He said Hajjaj will be checked-in and their baggage will be accepted as soon as they would arrive and then they will be escorted to their allocated rooms at the Complex where they can take some rest.
The official said the screened baggage will directly reach airside at Hajj terminal and passengers will be brought from the mentioned facility to the Hajj terminal 5 hours prior to flight departure where they will proceed straight to processing hall.
The Complex also encloses eating places, shops and medical facility and in case the flight is delayed for some reason, the passengers will be retained back at the Facility and they do not need to wait at airport for longer hours he said.
When asked about the other steps taken for facilitation of Hujjaj, the official said metal detectors have been arranged to screen Hajjis before they are transported to terminal.It will also save significant dedicated baggage handling teams would also be available at Jeddah and on arrivals in Pakistan to ensure smooth handling of Hujjaj baggage.
With all the arrangements this year, the government hopes that Haj operation 2011 would be more successful and Hujjaj be better facilitated.