Saudia Allocates More Than 1.2 Million Seats for Pilgrims During Hajj Season 2023

Saudia has announced a plan to allocate more than 1.2 million seats for Muslims worldwide who will partake in the Hajj pilgrimage this year. Hajj will take place from the evening of June 26 to the evening of July 1.

The seats will be spread across Saudia's current fleet of 164 aircraft, plus 12 additional aircraft that will be used exclusively for Hajj. The Saudia group includes Saudia for domestic and international flights and the low-cost carrier Flyadeal for regional flights.

Flights will operate to the following six airports in the country:

• King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah
• King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh
• King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam
• Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED) in Medina
• Taif International Airport (TIF) in Taif
• Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport (YNB) in Yanbu

Saudia's Chief Hajj and Umrah Officer Amer Alkhushail said, "Through our accumulated experience, capable employees, and our relentless pursuit to offer the best technical services that guarantee a smooth travel experience, Saudia Group is ready to implement a new Hajj plan. This operational plan is in line with the directives of the Supreme Hajj Committee . . . the Central Hajj Committee . . . and in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program."

Saudia is unique among airlines because it offers services for pilgrims that travel to Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Mecca is one of the holiest cities in Islam alongside Medina and Jerusalem. During the Hajj season, the airline operates flights at full capacity and 24 hours a day from its hub in Jeddah.

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) has a dedicated terminal for pilgrims. The Hajj Terminal, which is one of the world's largest airport terminals, can accommodate up to 80,000 passengers at once. Pilgrims often fly into Jeddah because Mecca itself does not have an operating airport.

Saudia has additionally expanded its in-flight services for the Hajj season. The updates include more than 134 hours of religious programs and 590 hours of Quran recitations. Furthermore, the airline's in-flight entertainment system will have educational literature on how to perform Hajj and Umrah in many different languages.

Saudi Arabia is not the only country that plans to operate additional flights for the Hajj pilgrimage. Israel recently submitted a request to Saudi Arabia that would allow direct flights to operate between both countries. If the request is successful, then it would allow Muslims from Israel and Palestine to fly directly to Saudi Arabia. It is currently unknown if the flights would operate on Saudia or Israel's national airline El Al.