Riyadh, September 16, 2019, SPA -- The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) concluded the “EYAB” (Return) initiative through Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (PMIA) in Madinah, where more than 13,500 pilgrims were served at the airport. GACA launched the Eyab initiative during the current Hajj season (1440), where more than 30,000 pilgrims were targeted from three different countries (Indonesia, India and Malaysia). The two airports that were involved in the initiative were King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport (PMIA) in Madinah. The initiative benefited more than 16,500 pilgrims, GACA aimed through the implementation of the initiative to improve services provided for the pilgrims throughout the Kingdom’s airports. GACA revealed the success of the operational plan for the Hajj season 1440, after the conclusion of the departure phase on Saturday, the 14 of Muharram, 1441, corresponding to the 14th of September 2019. Moreover, according to official statistics, more than (1.7) million pilgrims departed through the Kingdom’s airports. GACA explained that one of the main objectives implemented in its plan during the (arrival and departure) stages was to provide pilgrims with best services, facilitate their arrival and departure procedures and reduce the period of completion of their travel procedures. During the 1440 Hajj season 1440, GACA has harnessed all its efforts to serve arriving and departing pilgrims from the beginning of the time of their arrival, until their departure to their home countries. The General Authority of Civil Aviation was keen on facilitating the arrival and departure procedures for pilgrims in coordination with government and private entities operating within the airports. Furthermore, GACA has been keen to implement the best services and practices for pilgrims through the application of the annual plan for the Hajj season in cooperation with all entities operating at the airport. It is worth noting, that within the Hajj and Umrah Terminal complex at King Abdulaziz International Airport and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, there are more than 25 government and private entities. Working at the Hajj and Umrah Terminal complex, there are more than 7,000 male and female employees. Likewise, there are more than 5000 employees working at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport. --SPA 10:26 LOCAL TIME 07:26 GMT 0001 www.spa.gov.sa/w1172420