RIYADH: The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has implemented precise standards to optimize and improve the experience of Hajj pilgrims arriving at Jeddah and Madinah.

The total number of pilgrims to have arrived via airports, land and seaports has so far reached 1,755,768, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
It added that the number of foreign pilgrims arriving via airports has reached 1,646,394, including 805,290Through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
“To improve services at airports GACA staff observe the time spent and the services used by pilgrims from the moment they arrive to when they depart,” the authority said in a video message on its Twitter page.
Duties of monitoring service quality and customer protection are implemented through a specialized department within the GACA, and start from the pilgrims’ arrival at the terminals to getting on buses to their final destinations.

“GACA staff work round the clock during the Hajj season to create a positive impact at Saudi airports, and to control quality and serve the pilgrims,” a tweet from the GACA said.
It added that the GACA has taken it upon itself to improve the level of service offered to passengers in general and services provided to pilgrims in particular.
Earlier, the GACA started implementing technical solutions at airports in Jeddah and Madinah to reduce congestion. It has merged terminal hall paths into single directions to ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims, allowing both airports to welcome up 48,000 passengers during a single phase.
Operational systems, particularly the scheduling of flights dedicated to pilgrims, have also been coordinated with the Hajj Ministry to avoid overcrowding.
Passport controls have also been streamlined, as have baggage reclaim halls, whilst public transport and parking capacities have also been increased.