JEDDAH, Nov 21(Arab News): A high ranking Saudi Arabian Airlines official blamed overcrowding over the past two days at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) on Haj service providers who have poorly thought out plans to bring departing passengers from Makkah to the airport.

“The crowding and buildup of pilgrims returning to Gulf countries and domestic destinations at KAIA on Saturday and Friday was caused by errors in the schedules set up to bring departing pilgrims to the airport. Because of the errors of Haj service providers, Saudi Arabian Airlines has had to reschedule its general flights and prepare an alternate plan to ferry pilgrims,” said Abdullah Al-Ajhar, assistant director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Al-Ajhar dismissed postings on some websites that Kuwait had sent an aircraft to transport Kuwaiti pilgrims as baseless. “The Kuwaiti and other pilgrims returned in alternate flights operated by Saudia. I do not know of any flights from any Gulf country arriving here to take out pilgrims who have been waiting at KAIA for 20 hours,” he said. He said he had no comment over false reports. “I will affirm that we are dealing with more than half a million pilgrims flying on both domestic and regional flights. I do not rule out occurrence of mistakes, but we are trying our best to correct errors that have occurred and to normalize matters at the earliest,” he said.

Several websites have been carrying reports that Kuwait and the UAE transported pilgrims returning to their respective countries on their own planes after pilgrims were left waiting at Jeddah airport for over 15 hours.

A UAE newspaper recently criticized the quality of services at KAIA and said that many pilgrims had to seek medical assistance from their respective Haj missions.

However, health sources at the airport said medical centers in the airport — staffed by 600 doctors, nurses and support workers — have been providing all types of medical help to returning pilgrims.

Meanwhile, outbound pilgrims are taking their own precautions not to miss flights. An Egyptian Haj group had come to KAIA’s South Terminal well over six hours prior to check-in and camped at the airport. “But our efforts were of no use as the scheduled flight was delayed,” said the team leader, who did not wish to be named, on Saturday. “Though there are large crowds milling around, we are not complaining,” he added.

With millions ready to leave the Kingdom after performing Haj from either Jeddah or Madinah, airports are geared and ready to transport pilgrims to their countries in the best possible manner, said airport authorities.