Saudi Airlines assigns flights for Qatari pilgrims to Jeddah

CAIRO – 17 August 2017: Saudi Airlines, in coordination with the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), allocated seven flights for transporting Qatari pilgrims from Doha to the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

The Saudi Airlines Boeing 777-300 flights will start from August 22 to 25, while the return flights will be on September 5, at the end of the pilgrimage.

Qatar Foreign Minister Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani welcomed on Thursday a Saudi decision to open border crossing for Qatari Pilgrims, according to AFP.
This came following King Salman’s Wednesday initiative to open Salwa Land Crossing border for pilgrims coming from Qatar to perform Hajj this year, according to Saudi Press Agency.

The King also ordered sending Saudi Arabian Airlines planes to Doha to transport all Qatari pilgrims directly at his expense, despite the kingdom’s decision to place a trade and air embargo on Qatar in June.

“Amid the current political situation with Doha, the Saudi government welcomes pilgrims from all countries of the world, including those coming from Qatar,” Ministry of Hajj said in a statement released in late July, adding that the authorities allow those who are lawfully approved for Hajj to enter into the kingdom via all airlines except those registered with Qatar Airways.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates along with Egypt and Bahrain decided on June 5 to severe diplomatic and trade relations with Doha, closing their mutual land borders and air spaces.

The neighboring Arab states’ decision came after accusations of Qatar’s support for terrorism surfaced.

Saudi Arabia is currently bracing for the once-in-a-year pilgrimage season, whose rituals are regularly performed in Mecca and Medina.