RIYADH, Jan 5: Saudi Arabia said on Monday it would for the first time allow foreign airlines to fly to the holy city of Madina during the Haj next month. The move comes despite increased security warnings that have prompted several cancellations of some flights around the world, including British Airways flights from London to Saudi Arabia.

State television said the airport in Madina - formerly only open to Saudi flights - would now be open to foreign airlines carrying pilgrims from around the world "to facilitate the travel of haj pilgrims by making better use of available resources".

Previously, pilgrims would land in airports in the capital Riyadh or Jeddah and travel to Makkah and Madina by land. The kingdom's most holy city of Makkah has no airport.

Saudi Arabian Airlines said on Monday it expected to transport more than 921,000 pilgrims on 3,100 flights. More than two million Muslims from around the world are expected to take part in this year's Haj.-Reuters