Saudia has commenced its Hajj 2026 operations with the arrival of the first group of pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as the national carrier rolls out a large-scale transport programme supported by more than one million allocated seats across its domestic and international network.
The airline confirmed that the first inbound Hajj flight, SV5807, landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah from Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, carrying 376 pilgrims.
According to Saudia, senior Saudi officials including the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, and the Director General of Saudia Group, Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, were present at the airport to receive the arriving pilgrims, alongside representatives of the wider Hajj ecosystem.
For the 2026 pilgrimage season, Saudia said it has dedicated over one million seats across its global route network, supported by a fleet of 160 aircraft assigned to Hajj operations. The airline noted that it is serving pilgrims from 145 destinations worldwide, with operational teams deployed around the clock to ensure uninterrupted service throughout the season.
Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar said serving pilgrims remains a national responsibility, adding that Saudia’s operations are aligned with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategic objectives under Vision 2030.
He said the airline continues to work in coordination with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program to enhance the overall pilgrimage journey, stressing efforts to improve service quality, operational efficiency and on-time performance.
Saudia also confirmed that it is providing integrated travel services for pilgrims, including check-in and boarding pass issuance at international departure points for both inbound and return journeys, as well as selected domestic routes.
As part of its seasonal programme, the airline is operating additional flights to Madinah to accommodate the expected surge in pilgrim movement.
The carrier said it expects to serve more than 179,000 pilgrims through the “Makkah Route” initiative, which streamlines immigration and travel procedures before arrival in the Kingdom.
It also disclosed that its “Luggage First” service is expected to process around 330,000 bags and 230,000 bottles of Zamzam water, aimed at easing passenger handling and improving operational efficiency.
Onboard, Saudia said pilgrims will benefit from dedicated services including Miqat announcements made 30 minutes before entering the designated pilgrimage boundary, Talbiyah broadcasts, and an in-flight educational channel on Hajj and Umrah rituals.
The airline added that catering services have been adjusted to accommodate diverse passenger needs as part of its seasonal service plan for Hajj 2026.
Sponsored Event
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
