Saudi Airlines resumes flights to and from London Heathrow Airport
Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH— Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) announced the resumption of regular flights to and from Heathrow Airport London, starting Saturday morning, March 22, by using aircraft with larger seating capacity.
The Saudi national carrier announced this in an official statement issued on Friday evening. Earlier, on Friday Saudia had suspended all flights to and from London until further notice.
In a previous statement on X account, the airline attributed the suspension of service to the disruption in the airport's operating system following a power outage due to a fire at a substation that supplies the airport with energy.
In the statement, the airline confirmed that it is closely monitoring developments with Heathrow Airport officials and is communicating directly with passengers to inform them of updates related to the situation. Saudia had urged passengers in London not to travel to Heathrow Airport, and instructed transit passengers not to travel to Jeddah and Riyadh airports until further notice.
The company announced that all affected tickets would be exempt from any restrictions or fees for rebooking or refunding, affirming its commitment to providing appropriate alternatives for passengers affected by the flight suspension.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
44 minutes ago
- Saudi Gazette
Health Ministry urges pilgrims not to expose to heat stress
Saudi Gazette report MINA — As pilgrims are preparing to move to Mina, to mark the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, the Ministry of Health has intensified its comprehensive field and awareness initiatives to safeguard pilgrims' health and prevent heat stress. This effort aligns with Vision 2030's Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program that aimed for a safe and healthy Hajj. Preventing heat-related illnesses is a top priority of the ministry. It urged pilgrims to use umbrellas, drink water regularly, even if they are not thirsty, and wear light-colored, lightweight clothing. Symptoms of heat stress include headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, thirst, and nausea. Upon noticing these, pilgrims should immediately move to a shaded area, cool down with water, and drink plenty of fluids. Pilgrims are advised to avoid direct sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm, refrain from walking on hot surfaces, and exercise caution when engaging in strenuous activities, such as climbing mountains, on the Day of Arafat, which can increase the risk of heat stress. The ministry affirmed that the health sector is highly prepared, with over 34 equipped field health units strategically distributed across the holy sites. These units provide urgent medical care and rapid response for heat stress cases, enhancing pilgrim safety. The ministry has also launched a health awareness kit, available in eight languages, offering comprehensive health guidelines. Through its advanced field system and qualified medical personnel, the Ministry of Health continues its extensive efforts to provide comprehensive health and preventive services, promoting safety and ensuring pilgrims can perform their rituals with ease and tranquility in a healthy environment.
Saudi Gazette
44 minutes ago
- Saudi Gazette
Madinah welcomes influx of residents after bidding farewell to pilgrims
Saudi Gazette report MADINAH — Madinah welcomes a large number of worshipers from across the Kingdom, including both citizens and expatriates, who gather to enjoy the Eid Al-Adha holiday in a spiritually enriching atmosphere. The arrival of residents in Madinah coincides with the departure of pilgrims heading to Makkah and the holy sites to perform Hajj rituals. Experiencing Madinah during these blessed days offers visitors an excellent opportunity, with ease of movement and low congestion facilitating the smooth performance of prayers at the Prophet's Mosque. In addition, visitors can explore historical sites and Islamic landmarks that are beautifully distributed throughout the region. Many visitors are keen to stay in hotels and residential accommodations near the Prophet's Mosque, seeking to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of devotion and worship. They hope to make the most of these days by fasting on the Day of Arafat and joining fellow worshippers for iftar meals in the mosque's courtyards. The central area around the Prophet's Mosque remains bustling with visitors, drawn by its vibrant commercial markets and restaurants. Smooth traffic flow and the well-organized services, supervised by relevant security and service agencies, enhance visitor comfort and ensure the highest standards of care.
Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
62 air carriers operate 3,314 Hajj flights from 238 destinations
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Saleh Al-Zuwaid, spokesman for the Hajj Transport and Logistics System, said that a total of 62 air carriers operated as many as 3,314 Hajj flights carrying pilgrims from 238 destinations in 71 countries around the world. Addressing a press conference for Hajj season transportation and communications system spokespersons at Hajj Media Operations Center in Makkah on Monday, Al-Zuwaid noted that the reception of pilgrims was conducted with the highest level of operational efficiency, contributing to the smooth flow of pilgrims' arrival and movement. Regarding the Haramain High Speed Rail, Al-Zuwaid stated that 4,700 trips were scheduled throughout the season with a capacity of up to two million passengers, an increase of 400,000 seats over last year. The number of trips between King Abdulaziz International Airport Station and Makkah has also been increased by 75percent compared to last year, reaching an average of approximately one trip per hour. He noted that 700,000 passengers had been transported on the Haramain High Speed Rail by Sunday, stressing that it will continue to provide services to pilgrims to meet their expectations. Regarding the Mashaer Train, the spokesperson confirmed that more than 2000 trips are expected to operate this season to transport more than 2 million passengers in 7 days. Al-Zuwaid explained that the use of road cooling technology in the holy sites has expanded by 82 percent compared to last year. "This technology has proven effective in reducing road surface temperatures by 12 degrees Celsius, especially in areas surrounding the Namirah Mosque and the holy sites," he added. For his part, Saad Al-Shanbari, spokesperson for the Hajj Communications and Technology System, stated that 4G and 5G coverage in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites reached 99 percent, resulting in a significant increase in internet speed, reaching 264 megabits per second, a 10 percent increase over last year. "Internet speed in Makkah and Madinah alone this year reached 336 megabits per second, a 19 percent increase over last year," he said. Al-Shanbari noted that Wi-Fi access points in Makkah, the holy sites, and Madinah reached more than 10,000 during this year's Hajj, in partnership with telecommunications service providers. He also emphasized that the Communications and Space Technology Commission (CSTC) was able to utilize the latest innovations during this season, successfully implementing, in partnership with Aramco, an artificial intelligence (AI) crowd management experiment using HAI surveillance cameras.
