Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has officially commenced its Hajj 2026 operations, marking the arrival of the first flight carrying pilgrims to the Kingdom. Flight SV5807, arriving from Dhaka, landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah with 376 pilgrims on board. The event was attended by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh Al-Jasser, and Saudia Group Director General, Ibrahim Al-Omar, highlighting Saudi Arabia's dedication to enhancing the pilgrimage experience.
The airline's operational plan for Hajj 2026 spans 75 days, covering both arrival and departure phases. Saudia has allocated more than one million seats across its domestic and international network, supported by a fleet of 160 aircraft. Pilgrims from 145 destinations worldwide will benefit from the airline's full operational and technical capabilities, with a dedicated workforce ensuring smooth performance throughout the season.
Ibrahim Al-Omar stated, "Serving pilgrims is a national priority, and Saudia plays an integral role within a broader ecosystem dedicated to this mission." He emphasised the airline's commitment to Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to facilitate travel for 30 million pilgrims and Umrah performers by 2030.
Saudia offers a range of services tailored to pilgrims, including boarding pass issuance for both arrival and return flights, supplementary flights to Madinah, and the "Makkah Route" initiative. The "Luggage First" service is expected to handle approximately 330,000 bags and 230,000 bottles of Zamzam water. Onboard services include Miqat announcements, Talbiyah broadcasts, and educational content on Hajj and Umrah rituals
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