New Delhi, Sep 26 (IANS): Over 20,000 Haj pilgrims flew out of India for Saudi Arabia from the Indira Gandhi International Airport this year.

The 20,700 pilgrims were allotted Terminal-2 of the airport, said Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) in a statement.

DIAL said it ensured the safe outbound journey of the pilgrims for the holy pilgrimage of Haj to Medina. It said the Haj pilgrims were able to use Terminal-2 for the fourth year in a row. Pilgrims were provided specially earmarked areas for offering prayers and basic medical support both inside and outside T2.

Eight immigration counters, 20 check-in counters, convenient washroom areas specially modified to Indian style and eight foreign exchange counters were opened.

Specially trained traffic marshals from RAXA along with Delhi Traffic Police ensured the smooth flow of the extra vehicular traffic during departures. The first batch of pilgrims left on Sep 9, 2013 and the departures ended Thursday. Saudi Arabian Airlines was the designated carrier and it operated 52 flights using B-747, B-767 and A-330 type of aircraft, said the statement