Jeddah, Aug 22 (Arab News): The “electronic track” system at King Abdul Aziz International Airport is helping in the completion of procedures for each pilgrim in just about 18 to 20 minutes, said an official.

“It is not taking more than 20 minutes for each pilgrim from the moment he or she steps out of the aircraft until leaving the airport premises,” said Nabil Haddad, director of Haj and Umrah Affairs at the airport.

According to the performance indicators and evaluation criteria, the application of the electronic track system has achieved a quantum leap in providing services to the pilgrims, he told local media. “The airport has so far received more than 250,000 pilgrims from outside the Kingdom.”

Haddad gave a briefing on the program to welcome the pilgrims overseen by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah. He said the program is being followed up under the directions of Minister Mohammed Salih Bentin, with the participation of the six Tawafa establishments.

“This is a kind of extension to what the mutawif used to do to celebrate the arrival of Hajis, receiving them and welcoming them,” he said.

Hani bin Abdulaziz Danish, the operator of the project to receive and group the pilgrims in the South Asian Pilgrim Establishment, said his establishment is participating in the program to welcome the Haj pilgrims through the committee he supervises.

He said that every Monday, the committee participates in distributing gifts to the pilgrims at the Jeddah airport.