KUWAIT CITY, June 18: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has announced that 38 flights have been scheduled to bring back pilgrims from the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia. These flights will commence on Wednesday, June 19, and will continue for three days.

Abdullah Al-Rajhi, Acting Deputy Director General for Aviation Safety, Air Transport, and Aviation Security, told KUNA that Kuwait International Airport will receive the first return flight of pilgrims aboard Saudi NAS Airlines. The last flight is expected to arrive on June 21, also on Saudi Airlines. Al-Rajhi noted that the total scheduled flights for returning pilgrims will be operated by four airlines from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, carrying approximately 8,000 pilgrims along with administrators and supervisors.

The airlines involved are Kuwait Airways, operating from Terminal 4, and Jazeera Airways, from Terminal 5. Saudi Airlines and Flynas flights will return to the main passenger terminal, Kuwait International Airport 1. Kuwait Airways will operate 13 flights, Jazeera Airways will operate six flights, Saudi Airlines will operate 12, and NAS Airlines will operate seven. Al-Rajhi indicated that the number of flights during this period might change due to the merging of some flights or adjustments in their schedules.

Al-Rajhi emphasized that Civil Aviation will work at full capacity, coordinating with Hajj campaigns to resolve any obstacles faced by pilgrims returning from the Holy Land.

On June 12, the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced that 76 flights would be operated during the current Hajj season to transport 8,000 pilgrims to Makkah. This preparation involves cooperation with various government agencies, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the General Administration of Customs, Kuwaiti Hajj campaigns, airlines, and ground service providers.