JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser visited the dedicated terminal for the Makkah Route initiative at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where he welcomed a flight of beneficiaries arriving from Bangladesh.
The minister was briefed on procedures implemented to facilitate pilgrims’ journeys, reduce processing times, and deliver high-quality services that enable them to perform their rituals with ease and comfort.
Al-Jasser said the transport and logistics system operates under an integrated strategy that uses modern technologies and artificial intelligence to deliver high-quality services.
He noted that these efforts reflect the leadership’s care for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors and support the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
The first flight carrying beneficiaries of the Makkah Route initiative arrived from Istanbul International Airport in Turkiye to the Kingdom via the initiative’s terminal at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
Another flight carrying beneficiaries of the Makkah Route departed from Allama Iqbal International Airport in Pakistan and arrived at Madinah airport.
The General Directorate of Passports at Madinah airport also received the first flight of pilgrims arriving from Afghanistan.
The directorate affirmed its full readiness to facilitate entry procedures at all air, land, and sea ports by deploying advanced technological capabilities and multilingual qualified personnel to ensure smooth and efficient services throughout the Hajj season.
The Makkah Route initiative aims to provide streamlined and efficient services to pilgrims by completing their procedures in their home countries.
The countries benefiting from the initiative are Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Cote d’Ivoire, and the Maldives, as well as, for the first time, Senegal and Brunei Darussalam.
Services include collecting biometric data, issuing Hajj visas electronically, and completing passport procedures at departure airports after verifying health requirements.
The initiative also ensures baggage is tagged and sorted in accordance with transportation and accommodation arrangements within the Kingdom.
Upon arrival, pilgrims are transported directly via dedicated routes to their accommodations in the Makkah and Madinah regions, while partner entities handle baggage delivery.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism welcomed the first groups of pilgrims arriving in Makkah and Madinah, organizing reception events that reflected Saudi hospitality and contributed to an efficient arrival experience.
The ministry said these efforts are part of an integrated government approach to ensure a smooth and safe Hajj journey from arrival through departure.
It reaffirmed its commitment to coordinating with relevant entities and the private sector to improve accommodation services across hotels and other hospitality facilities, with a focus on efficiency and comfort.
The ministry stressed that it would enforce compliance with regulations, noting that inspection teams would intensify field visits to monitor service quality and address violations.
Pilgrims are encouraged to contact the Unified Tourism Center (930) for inquiries, feedback, or complaints.
