Saudi Arabia’s transport sector is poised to welcome a significant number of pilgrims with a host of preparedness measures in place for the forthcoming Hajj season. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has organized a massive allocation of 3.4 million seats across 7,700 flights to manage the expected influx of faithful travelers.
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah)
- Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Madinah)
- Taif International Airport (Taif)
- King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh)
- Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Yanbu)
- King Fahd International Airport (Dammam)
MATARAT Holding, specialists in transportation and ground services, is equipped with 13 travel lounges at these airports, ready to assist pilgrims. Over 21,000 staff members have been deployed, and services such as remote luggage check-in 24 hours prior to flight departure are available to ease the travel process.
Further bolstering the efforts, Saudia Airlines has reserved over 1.2 million seats and prepared a fleet of 150 aircraft to ferry pilgrims from across the globe. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) will facilitate journeys between sacred sites with over 2,000 train trips and 17 trains exclusively for pilgrim transit.
An innovative ‘bracelet tickets’ system will offer pilgrims QR code-enabled camp information and real-time train schedule updates directly to their smartphones. The Haramain High-Speed Railway will also contribute with 3,800+ trips during the season, utilizing 35 trains across five stations.
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) is ready to welcome around 10,000 pilgrims via Jeddah Islamic Port, providing logistical support, a welcoming reception, and ensuring the smooth handling of sacrificial animals.
The ‘leave without luggage’ initiative by Mawani will further enable pilgrims to check in their bags 48 hours before departing.
The Transport General Authority (TGA) has made comprehensive arrangements, including the provision of over 27,000 buses and 5,000 taxis, and has delineated 16 public transport routes to ensure seamless pilgrim movement. Safety measures and compliance monitoring are in full swing, aided by technologies such as a dedicated ‘Taxi’ app and traffic monitoring systems. Virtual reality (VR) glasses are also slated for expanded use, building on their success in the previous Hajj season.
The Roads General Authority (RGA) has primed the road network to facilitate easy access to religious sites. This includes installing barriers, signage, and safety features such as ground paints and warning vibrations, all contributing to the pilgrims’ safety and comfort.
Finally, the Saudi Post (SPL) is prepared to handle over 230,000 official mail items during the Hajj, with 45 post offices, 32 electric scooters, and mobile units ready to deliver efficient and secure logistics services.
These concerted efforts are part of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistic Services, aiming to empower various sectors and meet the ‘Pilgrim Experience Program’ objectives, as well as Hajj and Umrah targets, through robust transport networks and multi-modal transportation options.