The Director of Passports inspects Jeddah Airport's readiness for the Ramadan Umrah season
As part of the intensive preparations undertaken by government sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to receive pilgrims for the Umrah season, the Acting Director General of Passports, Major General Dr. Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, inspected the passport control operations at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Monday. This field visit aimed to ensure full readiness to receive pilgrims arriving to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH, and to guarantee smooth flow of traffic at one of the Kingdom's most important air gateways.
A comprehensive inspection tour and close monitoring
The inspection tour conducted by Major General Al-Murabba included visits to the arrival and departure halls, as well as the Hajj and Umrah terminal complex, where he was briefed directly on the implementation phases of the General Directorate of Passports' plan for the Umrah season. The visit focused on assessing the operational readiness of the human and technological systems to ensure the provision of high-quality services befitting the Kingdom's status as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
During the tour, the Director General of Passports received a detailed explanation of the mechanisms used in the orientation program for the Performance Evaluation and Measurement Unit within the Airport Passports Operations Department. He was briefed on the real-time monitoring and tracking systems for performance levels, which aim to address any issues immediately, thus supporting the continuous improvement strategy and enhancing the experience of travelers and pilgrims from arrival to departure.
The importance of King Abdulaziz Airport and the Ramadan season
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah holds immense strategic importance as the main gateway to the Two Holy Mosques, receiving the largest number of pilgrims and Umrah performers from around the world. This visit comes at a crucial time, preceding the peak of the Umrah season during Ramadan, a period that typically sees a surge in traffic requiring exceptional preparations and high-level coordination among all airport stakeholders to ensure smooth passenger flow and facilitate entry procedures.
Harnessing technology to serve the pilgrims
At the conclusion of his tour, Major General Dr. Saleh Al-Murabba stressed the need to redouble efforts and work as a unified team during this blessed season. He emphasized the importance of maximizing the use of advanced technologies provided by the Kingdom, including electronic gates and biometric devices, to expedite procedures and complete the Hajj pilgrimage with accuracy and efficiency. He affirmed that these efforts primarily aim to reflect the honorable image of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its tireless efforts in serving Islam and Muslims, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the Hajj Service Program.
