Cairo - Doha authorities refused to allow entry to Saudi aircraft into its territory to transport Qatari pilgrims, according to Al Arabiya TV channel. Saudi Arabian Airlines had been unable to transport Qatari Hajj pilgrims from Doha as promised because Qatari authorities have failed to authorize its aircraft to land at the Hamad International Airport, the Kingdom's national carrier said on Sunday. Saudia Director General Saleh Al-Jasser said that several days have passed since the airline submitted its request for landing permission, but Doha authorities have not acted on it so far. The statement was carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Al-Jasser said Saudia sent the request after King Salman ordered the airline to dispatch flights to Doha to transport Qatari pilgrims, in response to the mediation of Qatari Sheikh Abdullah Bin Ali Al Thani, who met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on August 17 and with the King the next day. King Salman has also ordered the Saudi land border with Qatar opened for Qatari pilgrims to enter the Kingdom to perform Hajj in Makkah. His directive includes providing vehicles to transport the pilgrims and accommodation, as special guests of the King. King Salman's opening of the Salwa border crossing and directive to send flights to transport Qatari pilgrims has been widely welcomed, but played down by Qatari authorities and media. In a tweet on Sunday, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Ali Al Thani expressed his regrets over his government's inaction on Saudia's request for landing permission. "Brothers and sons: I regret the blocking of Saudi aircraft from Doha (to transport pilgrims) to perform Hajj, and I hope that the brothers in Qatar cooperate to facilitate Hajj for (Qatari) citizens," he tweeted.
