New facilities at Haj terminal for pilgrims

JEDDAH, November 04, SPA -- Jeddah’s Haj terminal is well-prepared to receive
pilgrims, with new terminals, arrival lounges and special rooms for swine flu
cases, said Khaled Al-Khaibari, head of media for the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA), Tuesday.

“We will use the old terminals to receive pilgrims, but we have also set up seven
new terminals to receive the largest number of pilgrims,” said Al-Khaibari.

“Until now we have received about 856 flights from around the world. A total of
200,136 pilgrims have arrived since Oct. 20.”

CAA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health has also installed thermal cameras
that can detect swine flu cases, according to a report published today by Saudi
Gazette.

“We have already established special rooms for receiving swine flu cases, in
addition to having prepared medical personnel to conduct swine flu tests,” added
Al-Khaibari.

Special training has also been provided to the airport’s cleaning staff on
measures to help avoid infection, he said.



According to Al-Khaibari, the new terminals have the latest technology to link
various parts of the airport, including the use of moveable bridges.

“The new terminals have the capacity to receive 3700 passengers every hour in
prime time,” he added.

He said there are a number of other developments taking place at the airport.

“When these new projects are completed, King Abdul Aziz International Airport
will have 10 movable bridges, 13 terminals, and four additional lounges to receive
arriving pilgrims,” added Al-Khaibari.
--SPA 11:17