PPIH: Jeddah Airport Prepares "Buggy Cars" to Welcome Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims in Second Wave

Labuan Bajo, NTT - Saudi Arabian Hajj Organising Officers (PPIH) have prepared buggy car or golf cart facilities as well as special vehicles for the disabled to welcome the arrival of Indonesian prospective hajj pilgrims in the second wave at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, starting Friday (8/5).

The Head of the Jeddah Airport Working Area, Abdul Basir, explained that the provision of these facilities resulted from coordination with the Nusuk Marhaba party to provide extra comfort for prospective hajj pilgrims, especially for elderly groups.

“These facilities are prepared to support the movement of pilgrims. We are also coordinating to provide special vehicles for the elderly and disabled so that the transfer process at the airport is easier and faster,” he said in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

He emphasised that these preparations are important considering the differences in the arrival flow in Jeddah, where prospective hajj pilgrims will be directly dispatched to Mecca to perform the obligatory umrah.

For that reason, prospective hajj pilgrims are asked to wear ihram cloth since at the dormitory or embarkation point. The use of ihram cloth from the home country is for time efficiency considering the tight movement flow at the airport.

Regarding the weather conditions, Abdul reminded that the temperature in Jeddah is quite hot with higher humidity levels compared to Madinah, thus prone to causing pilgrims to sweat quickly and become dehydrated.

“Pilgrims must always drink more, not waiting until thirsty to drink,” he said.

Based on these conditions, PPIH has also prepared a primary-level health clinic in the airport area.

The clinic functions as an observation room for prospective hajj pilgrims who need initial medical treatment before continuing their one-hour land journey to Mecca.

Thus, he assured that overall service preparations have reached 90 percent.

Currently, they are just conducting final coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj to ensure all supporting facilities for Indonesian prospective hajj pilgrims are fully operational on Friday (8/5) at 06.30 local time.