Leading Excellence in Hajj and Umrah Operations
Hesham Saeed
Vice President Operations
PPMDC
Leading Excellence in Hajj and Umrah Operations
Hesham Saeed
Vice President Operations
PPMDC
Hesham Saeed - Asia's Best COOs 2025
Transforming the Hajj and Umrah experience at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Hesham Saeed, Vice President of Operations at the Port Projects Management and Development Company (PPMDC), has spent the past 18 years redefining operational excellence. His career includes pivotal roles such as Deputy Minister Assistant at Ministry for Hajj and Umrah, where he oversaw large-scale pilgrim operations, implemented strategic initiatives, and as the ministry’s official spokesperson. These experiences shaped his unique blend of operational precision and strategic vision, which now guides every aspect of airport management. At the airport, Hesham has led the transformation of a seasonal terminal into a fully integrated, year-round hub serving millions of pilgrims from more than 146 countries. He drives initiatives that streamline processes, establish operational benchmarks, and optimise coordination across more than 27 entities, ensuring every workflow is efficient, scalable, and precise. By combining innovation with hands-on leadership, he enhances service quality, passenger comfort, and safety, setting global standards for airport operations. Beyond logistics, Hesham focuses on delivering a dignified, seamless journey for each pilgrim, blending operational mastery with a human touch. His leadership emphasises people development, institutional excellence, and continuous innovation, positioning PPMDC as a benchmark for both private and governmental sectors, while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s standing in aviation, tourism, and pilgrimage services. Speaking with TradeFlock, he delves more into his work.
What have been the highlights of your career, and what does serving pilgrims signify to you?
I graduated from King Abdulaziz University in 2007 with a degree in industrial engineering and immediately joined the Hajj and Umrah Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport as a terminal resource distributor. From the outset, I committed myself to gaining expertise through local and international training, steadily advancing to the role of Assistant Operations Manager by 2019. A defining moment in my career came during a training course, where we were asked to set a ten-year SMART goal; achieving it validated the value of long-term strategic planning. Serving the guests of the Merciful has always been more than a professional responsibility—it is a privilege. Every prayer, expression of gratitude, and satisfaction from a pilgrim reinforces the significance of our work and drives my pursuit of operational excellence.
What milestones at the Hajj and Umrah Terminal are you most proud of?
Under my marvellous team efforts, the terminal has become a national and international benchmark. It has won multiple architectural awards and is recognised for operational excellence, managing complex crowd flows, coordinating with over 27 entities, and serving pilgrims from more than 146 countries. I led the deployment of advanced Operations Control Room systems that manage terminal facilities, aircraft parking, and public areas efficiently and safely. We expanded services to include world-class dining, retail, duty-free zones, prayer rooms, health centres, VIP and first-class lounges, luggage handling, currency exchange, and transportation services. The terminal transitioned from a seasonal operation to a year-round hub while maintaining flexibility and efficiency, ensuring every pilgrim’s journey is seamless, dignified, and comfortable. These accomplishments reflect both operational mastery and my commitment to elevating the pilgrim experience to global standards.
"Every strategic step aligns with the national transport strategy and Saudi Vision 2030, reinforcing our mission to provide pilgrims with a world-class travel experience while enabling airlines to operate efficiently and effectively.”
In what ways did working at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah shape your leadership journey?
In 2019, I joined the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah as the General Director of Umrah Business Development. I progressed through critical leadership roles, including Director General of the Jeddah branch, Director General of Media and Communication, Director General of Hajj Missions Affairs Offices, and finally, Assistant Undersecretary for Hajj and Umrah Services, serving also as the ministry’s official spokesperson. These roles gave me the opportunity to oversee large-scale operations, improve institutional efficiency, and implement strategic initiatives that enhanced the experience of pilgrims. Working closely with esteemed ministers and deputies taught me how to combine operational precision with strategic vision, ensuring that every initiative contributes to both efficiency and the spiritual fulfilment of pilgrims.
How are you preparing the terminal for the upcoming season?
Our focus is on innovation, efficiency, and optimal resource deployment. Initiatives include central security screening, revised passport control layouts, open boarding areas, and expanded commercial zones to improve the flow and satisfaction of pilgrims. Operational resources—arrival and departure halls, baggage claim platforms, integrated security areas, and aircraft parking— are strategically allocated for maximum efficiency. These enhancements have reduced processing times, improved operational flow, and ensured higher satisfaction rates for travellers. Every strategic step aligns with the national transport strategy and Saudi Vision 2030, reinforcing our mission to provide pilgrims with a worldclass travel experience while enabling airlines to operate efficiently and effectively.
How are you driving PPMDC’s vision for the future of airport operations?
PPMDC, the first private airport operator in Saudi Arabia, has served over 100 million passengers since 2007. With 247 staff, 85% Saudisation, and an average tenure of over ten years, the company sets new benchmarks in operational excellence. Its strategic focus includes diversifying services, delivering premium passenger experiences, and maintaining operational flexibility. As Vice President of Operations, I lead initiatives to streamline processes, enhance service quality, and integrate innovative solutions that boost efficiency and satisfaction. These efforts have reduced processing times, improved passenger experience, and strengthened airline performance, positioning PPMDC as a global benchmark while honouring its mission to serve the Guests of the Merciful.
