The average number of flights at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah has increased to 800 in just one day during the current Haj season, said Suleiman bin Abduallah Al-Hamdan, chairman of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation, according to a website.

Al-Hamdan made his comments when he visited the airport, its Haj and Umrah lounges and air traffic control tower. He said that air traffic controllers guide pilots in takeoffs and landings through modern integrated systems and devices using advanced technologically to provide best navigational services. They ensure the highest standards of safety of all flights. During the visit, he also observed ground control work in the Haj square inside the control tower.

During his visit, Al-Hamdan met all workers of the control tower and lauded their major role in ensuring the safe movement of planes, particularly the expanded efforts they make during Haj season.

He also visited offices of the airlines of Haj flights which have been working round the clock since the beginning of the Haj. He also met a number of Haj pilgrims and received passengers of one of the Haj flights coming from Malaysia.

Al-Hamdan said that providing services to Haj pilgrims was a great honor for all people of the country. He said that at the airport all formalities of Haj pilgrims are finished within 40 minutes, which is an achievement to be proud of.

He said that King Abdulaziz International Airport and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport had completed formalities in the arrival of 400,000 Haj pilgrims by Monday.

He said that the volume of air traffic during Haj season has considerably increased from 650 to 800 flights every day.