Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, greets Hajj pilgrims.

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

Pilgrims flew out from Sharjah Airport bound for Makkah, Saudi Arabia for the upcoming Hajj season.

In cooperation with Sharjah Airport Medical Centre, Sharjah Islamic Affairs and University Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah Airport provided health checkups for all pilgrims including transit passengers who were received and greeted by Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority.

The pilgrims including transit passengers were provided with a designated lounge, additional check-in kiosks, luggage transportation vehicles and additional dedicated staff for their comfortable and safe experience.

Sharjah Airport is an important transit point for Hajj trips to Saudi Arabia due to its strategic location.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said, “In line with the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, we are keen to cooperate with our partners and stakeholders and take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth experience for pilgrims from departure to arrival whilst maintaining the highest standard of services.”

Al Midfa pointed out that recently, Sharjah Airport Authority held meetings with strategic partners including The Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah, Hajj & Umrah Offices, Sharjah Aviation Services, Facilities Department, Passport Control Department and the Police in order to exchange suggestions and ensure the comfort of pilgrims at all levels.

Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, explained, “The pilgrimage season this year coincides with the summer vacation, which requires double the effort to balance between streamlining and facilitating the procedures while maintaining the highest levels of safety and security.”

Pilgrims expressed their appreciation to Sharjah Airport Authority’s employees for the ease of procedures that made it simple for them to find the places and gates allocated to them from the moment they arrived at the airport.

Sharjah Airport is always seeking to improve the level of services offered to its passengers, and serve with the highest standards especially during high seasons such as the Hajj, with the provision of additional flights to accommodate the increase in the number of passengers during this period of the year.