Infrastructure constraints behind pilgrims’ inconvenience: PIA
PIA spokesperson says Saudi airport authorities have failed to fulfil responsibilities.
LAHORE:
It is not only Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), but 53 other airlines operating from the Jeddah Hajj terminal as well that are facing long delays in departure, a PIA spokesperson said on Tuesday. These delays are a result of inherent infrastructure constraints at the terminal which are beyond PIA’s control, he added.
According to a detailed Saudi Ground Services performance report, airlines from Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries have faced flight delays ranging from two to 11 hours.
The spokesperson also said that check-in required passengers to be at the airport at least six to eight hours before departure, but most show up only two to three hours before the flight.
Security checks
Another cause of delay includes the process of fulfilling immigration formalities and security checks. There are about 14 security checks at the terminal which take almost 10 to 15 minutes per passenger. Between 80,000 and 100,000 passengers have to clear the immigration and security process, which results in congestion and postponement of flights, according to PIA.
Meeting with Saudi airport authorities
In March, PIA had conducted meetings with Saudi airport authorities and requested a number of changes during the Hajj flights, including the processing of flights from West Terminal which is less congested. It also asked for the extension of boarding lounges, the establishment of security counters outside the terminal building, increasing the number of counters for security checks, and allowing individual processing as opposed to group processing. The latter request would enable faster processing since the entire group would not need to be present to receive clearance.
Passengers arriving late
In addition, the first two Hajj flights returning to Pakistan faced inordinate delays because of passengers arriving late for both flights, according to PIA. The delay of these initial flights proved detrimental for subsequent flights and a rolling delay set in for the remaining flights, which PIA is trying to overcome as soon as possible with the support of Saudi officials, the spokesperson added.
Even though PIA facilitates the pilgrims as much as possible through 24-hour presence at the Hajj terminal of officials wearing highly-distinguishable uniforms, the delays, lack of seating arrangements and general inconvenience for passengers continues. This, PIA says, is beyond the control of the airline – rather, the failure of efficient operations is the responsibility of Jeddah’s civil aviation authorities.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2011.
It is not only Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), but 53 other airlines operating from the Jeddah Hajj terminal as well that are facing long delays in departure, a PIA spokesperson said on Tuesday. These delays are a result of inherent infrastructure constraints at the terminal which are beyond PIA’s control, he added.
According to a detailed Saudi Ground Services performance report, airlines from Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries have faced flight delays ranging from two to 11 hours.
The spokesperson also said that check-in required passengers to be at the airport at least six to eight hours before departure, but most show up only two to three hours before the flight.
Security checks
Another cause of delay includes the process of fulfilling immigration formalities and security checks. There are about 14 security checks at the terminal which take almost 10 to 15 minutes per passenger. Between 80,000 and 100,000 passengers have to clear the immigration and security process, which results in congestion and postponement of flights, according to PIA.
Meeting with Saudi airport authorities
In March, PIA had conducted meetings with Saudi airport authorities and requested a number of changes during the Hajj flights, including the processing of flights from West Terminal which is less congested. It also asked for the extension of boarding lounges, the establishment of security counters outside the terminal building, increasing the number of counters for security checks, and allowing individual processing as opposed to group processing. The latter request would enable faster processing since the entire group would not need to be present to receive clearance.
Passengers arriving late
In addition, the first two Hajj flights returning to Pakistan faced inordinate delays because of passengers arriving late for both flights, according to PIA. The delay of these initial flights proved detrimental for subsequent flights and a rolling delay set in for the remaining flights, which PIA is trying to overcome as soon as possible with the support of Saudi officials, the spokesperson added.
Even though PIA facilitates the pilgrims as much as possible through 24-hour presence at the Hajj terminal of officials wearing highly-distinguishable uniforms, the delays, lack of seating arrangements and general inconvenience for passengers continues. This, PIA says, is beyond the control of the airline – rather, the failure of efficient operations is the responsibility of Jeddah’s civil aviation authorities.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2011.