Saudi Airlines unable to transfer Qatari pilgrims due to "lack of permission"

RIYADH, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia Airlines said on Sunday that it had so far been unable to transfer Qatari pilgrims from Hamad International Airport in Doha, due to the "lack of permission" from Qatar.

Saudi Airlines General Director Saleh Al-Jasser said that the company failed to schedule its flights from Doha airport, because they had not received landing permits from the Qatari authorities, the Al Arabiya local news reported.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered last week to allow Qatari pilgrims to enter Saudi via the land port without electronic permits. This decree came upon the mediation of Qatari envoy Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Jassem Al Thani.