Medina receives first airplane of pilgrims today

Preparations for the Islamic pilgrimage season for this year in Saudi Arabia entered its final stages, as the first airplane carrying Haj pilgrims is to arrive today in Medina.

The Saudi authorities asserted that they have completed all preparations for the pilgrimage season where some two million people annually visit from all over the world to perform the pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage rituals will start on March 18., and Indian pilgrims have started arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabian Airlines expects a 24% increase in the number of pilgrims who will travel on the airplane.