{"id":13689,"date":"2021-06-15T10:40:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-15T14:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/?p=13689"},"modified":"2021-06-23T11:44:01","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T15:44:01","slug":"saudi-ops-for-hajj-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/saudi-ops-for-hajj-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Saudi Ops for Hajj 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which means a change in traffic density and also some flight restrictions into Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n

The Hajj period this year is July 17-22<\/h4>\n

However, with current quarantine measures (1 week in a hotel if you haven’t been jabbed), the increase in inbound traffic might start a little sooner.<\/p>\n

Where in Saudi?<\/h4>\n

OEJN\/Jeddah<\/strong> and OERK\/Riyadh<\/strong> airports are the two main entry points to Saudi Arabia for those attending Hajj<\/a>. In fact, to fly in here during Hajj period your passengers may well need special Hajj visitor visas, or will likely experience some pretty long delays in customs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Use these airports as alternates with caution<\/strong> during this period because traffic is going to be much higher even this season (2021) when visitor numbers are restricted. You might also experience delays if a VIP is landing as they tend to add in security measures (which can include holding other aircraft if there are enough “V”s before the “IP”)<\/p>\n

Where else?<\/h4>\n

OEMA\/Madinah<\/strong> can also see more traffic since those holding Visit or Seasonal Work visas are often transferred via here instead.<\/p>\n

OETF\/Taif Regiona<\/strong>l airport is also apparently open for Hajj flights if you are moving people domestically.<\/p>\n

If you are planning on operating a Hajj charter<\/h4>\n

You are going to need to get a request in with the GACA (General Authority of Civil Aviation)<\/strong> Administrative Liaison Center. There are quite strict quotas because they want a 50\/50 split with Saudi air carriers so an early request is a good plan.<\/p>\n

We suggest doing it through an authorized agent like fbo@spa.sa<\/a> – these folk are nice and responsive.<\/p>\n

Operations requests have to be sent to GACA through official channels. Hajj flight schedules should sent via e-mail to: hajflights@gaca.gov.sa<\/a><\/p>\n

You can find a bunch of useful info on how to apply for that here<\/a>. Actually, if you are thinking of operating a Hajj flight then definitely read this since there are a lot of things you need to be aware of. It is the official GACA produced ‘Hajj Instructions Governing the Carriage of Pilgrims by Air’.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Airspace Warnings<\/h4>\n

There are a fair few in place<\/a> for the south-western region of the Jeddah FIR. The general view is to avoid that part of the Jeddah FIR, and avoid Yemen, and anywhere near the Yemeni border.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is also worth reading up on<\/a> the ESCAT procedures<\/strong> Saudi Arabia have because an escalation in attacks is possible during Hajj season, particularly with a focus on Riyadh and Dammam airports due to the higher numbers of traffic. Basically, if they activate, you will have to follow exactly what ATC tell you<\/strong> and will probably be required to land at the nearest suitable<\/strong> aerodrome, or leave Saudi Airspace<\/strong> right away.<\/p>\n

Any other alerts I should know about?<\/h4>\n

We have a few alerts out at the moment for Saudi Arabia including one about hotel room shortages. Anyone who is unjabbed needs to quarantine for at least a week so these have been filling up fast.<\/p>\n

Crew are exempt from quarantine but do still need a PCR test less than 72 hours old.<\/p>\n

Hajj Routes<\/h4>\n

Usually, ASECNA put out an AIP SUP for Hajj routes through Africa<\/strong>, because the number of Muslims routing from Africa to Saudi Arabia means changes to the traffic flows and standard routings are required so ATC can deal with it all.<\/p>\n

Normally, traffic is very much north-south predominant<\/strong>, with Europe-Africa flights being the main flow. When Hajj operations start up, a good amount of traffic starts operating east-west (ie. Africa-Saudi Arabia and vice versa), and this is something to be aware of when cruising along at FL330 with spotty HF comms.<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, we haven’t seen one published yet this year<\/a>, possibly because numbers are so restricted.<\/strong> So keep on a look out, and listen out if routing through Africa just in case.<\/p>\n

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The FIRs which see higher traffic during Hajj<\/p><\/div>\n

Where can I find more info?<\/h4>\n

You can find it right here with this handy list:<\/p>\n