TEHRAN – Congestion, overcrowded terminals and unprovoked encounters with travelers all were parts of unseemly planning by Saudi aviation authorities during the Hajj season, the head of Hajj tours at Iran Air noted on Wednesday.

Inadequate services and excess luggage were also among the factors contributing to delays at overburdened Jeddah Airport with 220 flights per day, a report not naming the senior official planner quoted him as saying. Lingering customs inspections and 20-minute bus trips to terminals from landing area exasperated the existing hectic situation further at an airport with maximum daily capacity of 144 flights, he elaborated.

“Nevertheless, hard working and responsible Iran Air personnel did their best to handle the situation on the ground and assist the travelers,” he stated, pointing to Iran Air average 23-minute delay on return flights versus Saudi’s 33.