Saudi Arabian Airlines has completed its preparations for this year's Haj, which include hiring 34 airplanes to fly pilgrims, to avoid any effect on regular flights, and made available all human, logistical and technical capabilities at all stations, Abdulaziz Bin Raheem Al-Hazmi, deputy director general of Saudia, said. Speaking at the annual Haj meeting with representatives of airlines working in Saudi Arabia, he said flight schedules for pilgrims and other operational requirements have been finalized. About 500,000 pilgrims will be flown from 42 international locations on flights designated for pilgrims and on regular flights, Al-Hazmi said, noting that this year, pilgrims can obtain boarding passes in their countries for their flights to and from the Kingdom. On Thursday, the first day of Dhul Qada, 8,000 young men will start work at Jeddah airport's Haj Terminal Complex; 4,400 of will be assigned to transfer pilgrims' luggage to the buses. Another service for pilgrims is recruiting employees from their countries, including Indonesia and India, to work at departure terminals during the period of return, he added. The service of weighing luggage will be introduced this year to Indian pilgrims, who represent 25 percent of pilgrims transported by Saudia, and pilgrims from Indonesia and Malaysia, he said. A total of 50 airlines will carry pilgrims and 20,000 buses will be used for their transportation during Haj, said Al-Hazmi, who is also the chairman of the Foreign Airlines Representatives Council in Saudi Arabia. The first pilgrim flight will arrive Thursday, at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, where all preparations were completed under the supervision and follow up of the Haj Central Committee. The Committee, chaired by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, is continuing its meetings to discuss all operational plans of government and private agencies, and follow up the implementation of these plans through the Executive Committee for Haj at the Emir's Office, which is chaired by Emir's Office Undersecretary, Dr. Abdulziz Al
