RIYADH: Saudia Airlines said on Wednesday it will start operating its direct and regular flights to Los Angeles in the US and Manchester in the UK from next month, after easing preventive measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Dec. 11, the national carrier will resume its flights between Jeddah and LA, with 38 weekly flights in both directions on its Boeing B777-300ER aircraft.
Flights between Jeddah and Manchester will resume on Dec. 15, with 24 weekly flights in both directions on its Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Meanwhile, Saudia inaugurated the latest and largest Al-Fursan lounges in the global SkyTeam alliance at the international departure hall at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah.
Ibrahim Al-Omar, the airline’s director general, said the lounges are part of its plans to improve the travel experience, adding that the Kingdom is witnessing a qualitative leap, in terms of hosting and organizing many international events, most prominently in Jeddah with the Red Sea International Film Festival and Formula 1, which will lead to an increase in visitors from around the world.
He added “the national carrier is not concerned only with transporting passengers, but also with developing a package of services, and the Al-Fursan Lounge is certainly among these services.”
The new hall covers an area of 3,500 square meters and accommodates about 10,000 guests per day. It includes a business center and is equipped with the latest and most luxurious facilities, in addition to a relaxation area, children’s corner and a dining area.
Saudia Airlines resumes flights to Los Angeles and Manchester, opens largest Al-Fursan lounge in Jeddah
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Saudia Airlines resumes flights to Los Angeles and Manchester, opens largest Al-Fursan lounge in Jeddah
- Jeddah is expected to see an an increase in visitors from around the world for the Red Sea International Film Festival and Formula 1
Kingdom launches first mobile stroke unit for Hajj
- Initiative aims to save lives with rapid on-site stroke care during pilgrimage
MAKKAH: In a healthcare milestone for pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has deployed a mobile stroke unit for the first time at the Grand Mosque in Makkah during this year’s Hajj.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Harthi, an emergency medicine consultant and executive director of Ajyad Hospital, told Arab News that the unit was a state-of-the-art ambulance designed specifically for stroke cases, aiming to reduce the time between symptom onset and treatment — without the need for hospital transport.
“The unit can quickly access difficult locations and provide immediate care on-site, improving recovery and saving lives,” he said.
It is equipped with a CT scanner, an intravenous contrast system and clot-dissolving medications. A remote communication system with high-speed internet and a 360-degree camera allows consultants to monitor patients in real time from anywhere.
The team at the mobile stroke unit comprises a neurologist, cardiologist, respiratory therapist, emergency nurse, radiologist and paramedic.
The unit is the result of a collaboration between Health Holding Co., via the Makkah Health Cluster, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, with support from the Ministry of Health.
Al-Harthi said that the unit was designed to treat one patient at a time, with diagnosis and treatment typically completed within 15 minutes. It has already proven effective in several cases.
He shared an example of a 60-year-old Ugandan pilgrim who recently arrived at Al-Haram Emergency Hospital with slurred speech and one-sided weakness. The pilgrim had collapsed inside the Grand Mosque due to a hemorrhage, prompting an immediate response.
The patient was transferred to the mobile unit, where imaging was done and clot-dissolving treatment was administered. His condition improved within minutes.
“The patient was later moved to King Abdulaziz Hospital for intensive care, and within two days he showed remarkable recovery and expressed a desire to continue his pilgrimage,” Al-Harthi said. “This highlights the importance of timely intervention in preserving brain function.”
He praised the Ministry of Health and the Makkah Health Cluster for introducing this advanced technology during Hajj, crediting its success to strong coordination among government agencies.
The unit was deployed to Jabal Al-Rahma Hospital on Tuesday as part of a broader strategy to ensure top-quality medical care for pilgrims, allowing them to complete their rituals safely and comfortably.
Every year, tens of thousands of Hajj pilgrims benefit from services provided by health centers and hospitals at the holy sites.
Saudi Arabia deploys about 50,000 healthcare and other professionals to work 24 hours a day during Islam’s most important gathering.
Minister of endowments thanks Saudi Arabia for caring for Syrian pilgrims
- Syrian minister of endowments conveyed President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s greetings to the Saudi leadership
- An estimated 22,500 Syrians have embarked on the first day of the Hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday
LONDON: Syrian Minister of Endowments Muhammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri praised Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and care for pilgrims during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Makkah on Wednesday.
An estimated 22,500 Syrians embarked on the first day of the Hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday, which ends on June 9.
Shukri emphasized the importance of cooperation to help pilgrims perform their rituals smoothly during Hajj, reaffirming Syrian pilgrims’ commitment to following Saudi instructions and regulations.
The minister conveyed President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s greetings to the Saudi leadership. Al-Sharaa spoke this week with Syrian pilgrims in Makkah during a video call and asked them to act as “messengers of Syria” and show a good example during the Hajj.
Al-Rabiah expressed hope for stability and tranquility in Syria, according to the SANA news agency.
Defense Ministry launches first mobile field hospital at holy sites
- Wards have 50-bed capacity, pharmacy, surgical room
- Aim is to ensure pilgrims perform Hajj in ‘good health’
RIYADH: The Ministry of Defense has launched a mobile field hospital for the first time at the holy sites to boost healthcare services during the Hajj.
The hospital will provide comprehensive and high-quality medical services, the ministry said on Wednesday.
“The Joint Forces Command has harnessed all facilities and health services to ensure that the guests of God perform the Hajj pilgrimage with ease (and) in good health,” the ministry added.
The state-of-the-art facility comprises 29 trailers and 26 modules that house hospital components, including the main entrance, connecting corridors, emergency exits, and essential services.
It includes inpatient wards with a 50-bed capacity, fully equipped pharmacy, radiology unit, medical laboratory, and specialized clinics.
It also features a surgical operating room with a recovery and sterilization wing, intensive care and observation units, and an emergency department.
The hospital reflects the vital role of the Ministry of Defense in serving pilgrims and boosting the health infrastructure at the holy sites, the ministry added.
The ministry’s General Directorate for Health Services said Tuesday it is ready to implement an integrated medical plan to support the Ministry of Health.
This plan encompasses 36 health centers across the holy sites, with a combined capacity of more than 1,000 beds.
There are 1,791 health and administrative personnel deployed at fixed and field hospitals, emergency centers, and specialized clinics in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
Saudi Red Crescent conducts air evacuation in Arafat as part of Hajj preparedness efforts
- Operation was launched after an emergency call was received by the SRCA’s central operations room
ARAFAT: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority carried out an emergency air medical evacuation in Arafat on Wednesday, as part of its broader efforts to enhance readiness during the Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The operation was launched after an emergency call was received by the SRCA’s central operations room.
Ground and air ambulance teams were immediately dispatched to the scene in coordination with relevant health authorities, SPA added.
The patient was stabilized on-site and transported by medical evacuation aircraft to a designated hospital, following direct coordination with the hospital’s medical team and the provision of all necessary medical details.
SRCA spokesman Dr. Taimur Shukrullah Jan said the mission was part of a broader integrated system designed to improve emergency response across the holy sites.
He noted that medical evacuation aircraft are crucial in reducing response times, particularly in areas of high population density or restricted mobility.
“The authority is harnessing all its human and technical resources to serve pilgrims, in line with its humanitarian and national mission,” Jan said. “Our ground and air ambulance teams are operating around the clock to deliver urgent care where and when it’s needed.”
The SRCA’s air ambulance service for the Hajj season comprises 11 aircraft deployed across 13 strategic landing sites in Makkah and the holy sites.
More than 120 trained personnel are working to ensure rapid intervention and high-quality emergency services for pilgrims, SPA reported.
Pilgrims receive gifts reflecting Saudi culture
MAKKAH: The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, known as Wrth, has welcomed pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia via land, sea, and air with gifts inspired by traditional Saudi arts.
This initiative, in collaboration with the Pilgrim Awareness Center and Saudia airline, aims to enrich pilgrims’ experience culturally and intellectually, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Pilgrims received prayer rugs adorned by Arabic calligraphy and medallions featuring traditional inscriptions reflecting Saudi cultural values.
Accompanying the gifts were informational cards about Hajj rituals, provided by the Pilgrim Awareness Center.
Gifts were distributed at key entry points, including King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah Islamic Port, and the Hajj dispatching control center on Hijrah Road.
Wrth’s participation aligns with its mission to raise awareness of traditional arts and offer a unique pilgrim experience during the Kingdom’s Year of Handicrafts.
The initiative highlights national identity and strengthens the global presence of traditional Saudi arts, the SPA reported.
The royal institute recently completed a billboard project along Hijrah Road between Makkah and Madinah, in collaboration with the Roads General Authority.
The billboards feature designs inspired by traditional motifs and crafts such as weaving, reflecting the national identity. These showcase the beauty of local arts and regional patterns and aim to enrich pilgrims’ cultural experience and promote heritage tourism.
