Monday 7 May 2018

Malaysia prepares to conduct pre-clearance for Hajj pilgrims in 2018

Malaysia Airports Holdings will support the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) following the announcement made on the pre-clearance of Hajj pilgrims at KL International Airport (KLIA). The initiative will benefit 36,480 Hajj pilgrims for 2018.

Malaysia Airports MD Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said, "We welcome the implementation of this systematic and rapid management system. Hajj season is one of the busiest seasons in the airport. Not only are airport management facilities taken into consideration, passenger management is also preferred. As an airport operator, we are also happy that Malaysia was chosen as the first country in the world to use the pre-clearance Hajj system as announced."

According to Badlisham, the initiative will position KLIA as a regional hub that will provide new experiences to consumers, especially aged pilgrims.

A long-haul parking area as well as free shuttle bus service are some of the preparations that Malaysia Airports is making ahead of Hajj 2018.

The proof of concept (PoC) for pre-clearance of Hajj pilgrims at the point of departure was conducted in August 2017. The initiative facilitates the arrivals of pilgrims into KSA. eliminating long queues for immigration when they reach KSA. The PoC proved that conducting pre-clearance at the point of departure would significantly shorten the immigration process in KSA and increase KLIA’s attractiveness as a key gateway in the region for pilgrims going to KSA.