Some 20 Hajj flights arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, west of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, the Saudi civil aviation authorities said, with another 27 flights expected a day later.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) added that Hajj flights will be increasing until they reach climax, six per hour, totaling 144 daily at pilgrimage time.
It added that Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madina received the first of the Hajj flights for this year, 200 pilgrims coming from Kolkata, eastern India.
GACA deputy chairman, Faisal Al-Sukeir paid an inspection visit to the Hajj and Ummrah halls at King Abdulaziz International Airport, coinciding with the arrival of the first flight coming from Islamabad, Pakistan, with 300 pilgrims on board.
Al-Sukeir was briefed on the operation plan for the season, covering all arrangements for the arrival of the pilgrims, and finalizing their procedures as fast as possible.
The total capacity of the halls complex hit 3,800 pilgrims per hours for arrivals and 3,500 for departures.