Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has officially begun its Hajj 2026 operations with the arrival of the first flight carrying pilgrims to the Kingdom.
Flight SV5807 landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah from Dhaka, transporting 376 pilgrims.
The flight was received by senior officials, including Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser and Saudia Group Director General Ibrahim Al-Omar, highlighting the Kingdom’s continued focus on improving the pilgrimage experience.
Saudia’s Hajj operational plan will run for 75 days, covering both arrival and departure phases. The airline aims to facilitate the movement of pilgrims from across the globe through a coordinated system of integrated services designed to ensure efficiency and ease of travel.
For the 2026 Hajj season, Saudia has allocated more than one million seats across its domestic and international network. The operation will be supported by a fleet of 160 aircraft dedicated to serving pilgrims from 145 destinations worldwide. A round-the-clock workforce has also been deployed to maintain operational efficiency throughout the season.
Speaking on the launch, Ibrahim Al-Omar emphasized that serving pilgrims remains a national priority. He noted that Saudia’s efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030 and are carried out in partnership with key entities such as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program. He added that the airline is contributing to the Kingdom’s goal of accommodating 30 million Hajj and Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030.
The airline continues to roll out specialized services for pilgrims, including issuing boarding passes for both arrival and return journeys at international departure points, as well as for domestic connections. Additional flights to Madinah are also part of the plan.
Saudia expects to serve more than 179,000 pilgrims through the Makkah Route initiative, while its “Luggage First” service is projected to handle approximately 330,000 bags and 230,000 bottles of Zamzam water.
Onboard services have also been tailored to enhance the pilgrimage experience. These include Miqat announcements made 30 minutes before crossing designated points, the recitation of Talbiyah, and a dedicated inflight channel offering educational content on Hajj and Umrah rituals. Catering services have also been customized to accommodate diverse cultural and dietary preferences.
