logo

Jeddah airport serves over 5.3mln passengers during 5-week peak Umrah season

Zawya09-04-2025

JEDDAH — The King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah handled a record number of more than 5.3 million passengers during the five-week peak Umrah season starting from March 1 to April 5 (Ramadan 1 to Shawwal 7) this year.
Eng. Mazen Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports Company, said that the current peak Umrah season witnessed the meticulous implementation of operational plans, which contributed to the rapid completion of Umrah procedures and reduced waiting times in the procedures area. This was in line with the growing passenger traffic of pilgrims arriving to perform Umrah through the airport terminals.
Eng. Johar stated that King Abdulaziz Airport witnessed receiving and seeing off record numbers of passengers who traveled on board 31,500 flights and handling of 6.4 million bags during this period.
He emphasized that the completion of the airport's operational plans would not have been possible without the grace of God, as well as the directives of the wise leadership and the continuous monitoring by the Emirate of Makkah Region, Minister of Transport and Logistics, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), and CEO of Matarat Holding Company, who continuously monitor the quality of services provided to the guests of God at the airport. He also praised the efforts of all agencies operating at the airport, without exception, through a collective work system embodied in the spirit of one team and working under one umbrella.
Eng. Johar also extended his thanks to the staff of King Abdulaziz International Airport and all government, security, and operational agencies at the airport for their dedicated efforts during the peak Umrah season, which contributed to achieving the objectives of the operational plan for the season. He emphasized that they will continue to implement operational plans to ensure smooth passenger flow through the airport.
© Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jeddah Airports Company deploys advanced tech for airport operations
Jeddah Airports Company deploys advanced tech for airport operations

Zawya

time3 days ago

  • Zawya

Jeddah Airports Company deploys advanced tech for airport operations

Jeddah Airports Company is leveraging modern technology to improve operational monitoring at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. This effort involves an integrated system of control units to enhance traveler services, ensure flight security, and provide a comfortable experience, reported SPA. The Terminal 1 Operations Control Center is essential for operational efficiency, facilitating integration among departments and enabling real-time monitoring and rapid response, it stated. Equipped with 44 workstations and staffed by 130 personnel working continuously, the center oversees services such as check-in, security checkpoints, and baggage handling in co-ordination with Saudi Ground Services Company. Supported by advanced systems, it ensures flight security and a seamless travel experience, it added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

Eid Al-Adha in UAE: Ordering sacrificial meat via apps gains popularity as retailers partner with abattoirs, government
Eid Al-Adha in UAE: Ordering sacrificial meat via apps gains popularity as retailers partner with abattoirs, government

Al Etihad

time4 days ago

  • Al Etihad

Eid Al-Adha in UAE: Ordering sacrificial meat via apps gains popularity as retailers partner with abattoirs, government

4 June 2025 00:17 SARA ALZAABI AND TAARIQ HALIM (ABU DHABI)These days, technology takes the crowds and the risk out of Al Udhiya — the traditional slaughter of sheep, goats, oxen, and camels during Eid for sacrificial meat can be placed via butchery apps or even grocery apps. The slaughter is performed at accredited abattoirs in the UAE, and the meat is packaged and delivered to your Al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, commences on 10th of Dhul-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, or June 6 in the Gregorian calendar this year. Al Udhiya is a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's test of faith, where God asked him to sacrifice his son Ismail. Ibrahim passed the test and God replaced Ismail with a meat from the sacrifice is distributed among family members and a third of it goes to the the past, UAE residents would visit authorised slaughterhouses to get their sacrificial meat for Eid Al Adha; but online platforms have made the process much easier. Ordering by Apps For a second year, retail apps noon Minutes and Careem have launched Al Udhiya services, giving users a chance to order their animals using their smartphones. Prices range from Dh1,000 for a Somali goat to Dh7,000 for a 150kg Minutes has again partnered with meat distribution app Zabehaty, and orders for 2025 have already doubled from their launch year in Minutes spokesperson Saro Djerrahian, GM Commercial, explains: 'Sacrifices are performed by our trusted partner Zabehaty after Eid prayers, in line with Islamic principles and hygiene standards. Fresh meat is delivered to your door, with live updates every step of the way.'We brought the service back — and made it bigger — because demand has been so strong. Orders are already up 50% vs last year, with more expected as Eid gets said stringent measures are in place to ensure hygiene and cultural standards are maintained.'This is an important service for us, and we take every detail seriously. Sacrifices are carried out by certified experts at licensed facilities, fully Sharia-compliant and professionally managed. Customers will get confirmation and contact info for total peace of mind.'Careem Groceries, in partnership with Dhabayeh Al Emarat, offers local and imported options. According to their catalogue, a 14–17kg local goat aged 12 to 24 months costs Dh1,723, while a 7–9-month-old Naimi sheep (16–20 kg) is priced Dh2, can opt to have their meat delivered at home, or donate it directly to the UAE Food Bank. DMT Preparations The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in Abu Dhabi has finalised all the slaughterhouses' preparations for Sharia-compliant public services this services include dedicated pre-slaughter veterinary inspection offices and cutting, wrapping, and vacuum-sealing applications also provide the option of easy home the app, residents can choose the type of meat, the time of the sacrifice, and the nearest basic service pillars — veterinary inspection; halal, religious slaughter; and hygiene — will be adhered to. Aletihad spoke with Ali Shujaa, Executive Director of the Zabehaty smart app, about how the app has transformed Al Udhiya. 'The app was initially designed to facilitate general public access and alleviate congestion at slaughterhouses, including the elderly and people of determination.'He described how the process works: 'Carcasses are selected by a specialised team from the municipality, examined by veterinarians, and then transported to municipal slaughterhouses. They are slaughtered, cut up, packaged and prepared, then transported in special refrigerated vehicles to the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), where they are distributed across all emirates and locations.'The services are supervised by the municipality, including the municipal slaughterhouses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, and Sharjah. Municipal oversight is mandatory, so the procedures are clear and regulated.'Shujaa also highlighted the app's gifting and donation services: 'We work with organisations like the Emirates Red Crescent, and others.'On the use of technology, he noted: 'The application itself uses artificial intelligence to respond to customers, and the cutting and packaging equipment is electric.'Khaled Almessabi, Manager of the Halal Mazrana app, said the platform ensures the freshness of the meat and allows the customers to manage the delivery.'Slaughtering takes place immediately after the Eid prayer, at municipality-approved slaughterhouses. The customer can also select from various farm and livestock owners based on their prices and delivery times.'All sacrifices are handled by the approved slaughterhouses, in line with the procedures adopted at the slaughterhouse itself, with the presence of a veterinarian.'The app is integrated with Abu Dhabi and Al Ain municipalities for seamless service delivery. ADAFSA Awareness Campaign The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority is intensifying its efforts to raise public awareness about the importance of slaughtering livestock in licensed campaign aims to curb random slaughter practices and dealings with unlicensed butchers, reinforcing biosecurity measures and public health standards to prevent zoonotic diseases that can spread between humans and emphasises that slaughtering in regulated abattoirs plays a vital role in ensuring public health. Abattoirs across Abu Dhabi offer controlled environments that minimise contamination risks, ensuring that carcasses are processed in clean and hygienic conditions and preventing inspections before and after slaughter guarantee the safety of meat for human consumption. Qualified and legally licensed butchers oversee the process, while waste management protocols ensure the safe disposal of slaughtering by-products, aligning with biosecurity also ensures that Islamic slaughtering guidelines — including proper positioning, recitation, precise cutting techniques for efficient bleeding, and full exsanguination — are adhered to, as poor bleeding due to fever or improper cutting can compromise meat quality. ADAFSA's campaign encourages residents to utilise Abu Dhabi's modern abattoirs, which adhere to high safety and hygiene standards, ensuring that slaughtered meat is safe for consumption.

Etihad Salam Telecom Company announces exclusive new visitor's line for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims
Etihad Salam Telecom Company announces exclusive new visitor's line for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims

Zawya

time4 days ago

  • Zawya

Etihad Salam Telecom Company announces exclusive new visitor's line for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims

Visitor 59 Package: Offers up to 12GB of data and 15GB od social media data and minutes for calls and SMS. Priced at 59 + VAT SAR for 14 days. International coverage at competitive prices. Visitor 89 Package: Offers up to 20GB of data, unlimited social access, and significant minutes for calls and SMS. Priced at 89 + VAT.35 SAR for 28 days. Competitive rates with coverage in 40 countries. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Etihad Salam Telecom Company, a leading provider of telecommunications services in Saudi Arabia, today unveiled a new Visitor's Line for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Through unique packages with built-in social media connectivity, the offering will ensure that pilgrims can focus on their spiritual journey with seamless and stress-free connectivity. As part of its economic diversification strategy, Saudi Arabia has set a goal to host 30 million pilgrims by 2030, with more than 18.5 million pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia performing Hajj and Umrah in 2024 alone. Initiatives like the Pilgrim Experience Program is enhancing efforts to facilitate more Umrah visitors and improve access to the Holy Mosques, further supporting the country's hospitality goals. Recent trends indicate a shift towards a heightened reliance on data for sharing experiences and staying connected. The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) observed notable telecommunications activity among pilgrims at the holy sites during Eid Al-Adha in 2024, reporting 44.8 million voice calls with a success rate exceeding 99%. In the same period, data usage soared to 5.79 petabytes (PB), underscoring the increasing reliance on digital connectivity. Furthermore, the average daily data consumption per individual reached 779.93 MB, significantly exceeding the global average of 380 MB. [1] Understanding the evolving needs of today's pilgrims, Etihad Salam has created its plans to serve the heightened dependence on data and reduced need for international calling. The newly launched offerings come packed with generous data limits, social media usage, and ample flex minutes for local calls within Saudi Arabia and 40 global destinations. Amr Eldesouky, Chief Consumer Officer at Etihad Salam Telecom Company said: "At Etihad Salam Telecom Company, we believe in facilitating Hajj and Umrah with seamless connectivity, allowing our customers to focus on their spiritual path without worldly distractions. Our new Visitor's Line is designed to ensure that pilgrims from around the globe can share their profound moments and stay connected, embodying our core value of offering peace of mind. With our plans, pilgrims are not just connected, they are cared for, at every step of their journey." As pilgrims prefer utilizing data for sharing visuals and leveraging instant messaging for quick communications, Etihad Salam's unique offering includes social media in entry-level packages ensures that pilgrims can share their sacred moments without constraints, a first in the market. The packages stand out for their unparalleled inclusivity, covering an expansive list of countries, catering to the diverse nationalities that participate in Hajj and Umrah each year. The tailored plans, coupled with a deep understanding of the demographic's connectivity needs, places Etihad Salam as the go-to telecom partner for pilgrims from across the globe. About Etihad Salam Telecom Company Etihad Salam Telecom Company is one of the leading national companies in Saudi Arabia's telecommunications and information technology sector. Recognized as the Kingdom's fastest-growing and most innovative telecom brand, Salam has operated one of the region's most established telecom networks since 2005. The company provides cutting-edge ICT solutions for businesses, government entities, and carriers locally and internationally, along with fixed and mobile services supporting Saudi Arabia's digital transformation. As a key enabler of Saudi Vision 2030, Salam offers advanced telecommunications, cloud computing, data centers, and digital infrastructure. Its subsidiaries, Salam Mobile Telecom Company and Technical Links Services (TLS) ensure the delivery of innovative solutions and seamless connectivity across the Kingdom. For more information, please visit: [1] Saudi Arabia sees 73% rise in international visitors in 2024, leading G20 tourism growth - Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, business and innovation.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store