JEDDAH: On Monday Saudi Airlines began the second phase of its Hajj plan to transfer pilgrims from various countries at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah while continuing operations at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. The first Saudi Airlines pilgrimage flight, SV5111, arrived on Monday 30 July at King Abdulaziz Airport from the city of Surabaya in Indonesia. The first flight, with 406 pilgrims on board, was received at the Hajj and Umrah Hall by officials from Saudi Airlines, Ministry of Interior, Civil Aviation Authority, King Abdulaziz Airport and government agencies operating at the airport. Pilgrims were able to pass through the pilgrimage hall speedily because all passports, customs and other procedures had been completed at the departure station in Indonesia as part of the initiative of the Ministry of the Interior (Road to Makkah), which aims to improve the services for pilgrims. Pilgrims from Malaysia and Indonesia are benefiting from the initiative this year. The Road to Makkah initiative, launched by the Ministry of the Interior, includes obtaining visas for the Kingdom, facilitating customs and passports procedures, providing health requirements, organizing luggage and providing accommodation for pilgrims, so they can be on their way for Makkah or Medina without having to go through arrival procedures. Saudi Airlines has boosted facilities in the Hajj and Umrah Hall at King Abdulaziz Airport. More than 122,000 pilgrims to Madinah traveled on board 461 Saudia flights up until July 29 with 42,000 pilgrims to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.