3.1 Million Seats and 12,000 Flights: Saudi's Massive Plan for Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has allocated more than 3.1 million seats for Hajj 2026 pilgrims through over 12,000 scheduled and charter flights. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics introduced this aviation plan as part of a broader effort to ensure safe and seamless travel for visitors.

Six key airports will handle Hajj flights, supported by a workforce of more than 22,000 staff. Regulatory teams monitor airline and airport performance to maintain high service standards throughout the season.

National carriers have expanded their offerings for the pilgrimage. Saudia provides more than one million seats, backed by advanced digital tools for passenger convenience. Flynas prepares to transport hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, including over 147,000 travelers from 20 international destinations.

New initiatives include a “baggage-free traveller” service, allowing luggage to be shipped directly from accommodation. Expanded pre-shipment options for Zamzam water also support smoother airport processing.

While air travel handles long-distance arrivals, rail and road networks manage movement between holy sites. The Mashair train will carry over two million passengers, and the Haramain high-speed railway offers 2.2 million seats linking Mecca and Medina. Road maintenance included clearing 56 million cubic metres of sand dunes and installing 4,000 signs. A fleet of 33,000 buses and 5,000 taxis supports local transport.

Emergency response teams operate around the clock across all sectors to ensure rapid intervention if needed.