Makkah Route Initiative.. For a Seamless and Facilitated Hajj Journey

Jedah – Ahmed AlZahrani

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia spares no effort in providing comfort and ease to the Guests of Allah, ensuring they enjoy high-quality services and a smooth pilgrimage experience. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Ministry of Interior launched the “Makkah Route” Initiative as part of the broader “Pilgrim Experience Program” to revolutionize the way pilgrims are served.

The pilot phase of the initiative began in 2018, and in 2019 it was fully launched to significantly enhance the experience of pilgrims arriving from seven countries as a first stage.

Objective of the Makkah Route Initiative

The main goal of the Makkah Route Initiative is to streamline Hajj procedures starting from pilgrims’ countries of origin. Special attention is given to the elderly and individuals with special needs by automating and simplifying their travel procedures. These services are managed by Saudi passport control teams deployed abroad, ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey.

Services Included in the Initiative

The initiative offers a range of pre-departure services at selected airports, including:

• Issuance of electronic visas.
• Tagging, sorting, and registering luggage under the pilgrim’s name.
• Completing passport and customs procedures before departure.
• Direct transportation of luggage to the pilgrims’ accommodation in Makkah or Madinah.
• Designated departure lounges for pilgrims to board their flights to Jeddah or Madinah airports.
• On arrival, pilgrims are transported by buses directly to their accommodations, while their luggage is delivered separately.

These services dramatically reduce the time spent at entry points in the Kingdom to just a few minutes, making the Hajj journey more efficient and comfortable.

Impact and Partnerships

Since its launch, the initiative has served over 617,756 pilgrims. It is implemented by the Ministry of Interior in coordination with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Hajj and Umrah, and Media, along with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).

Airports Covered by the Initiative

The Makkah Route currently operates in 11 airports across 7 countries:

• Indonesia:
  1. Soekarno–Hatta International Airport – Jakarta
  2. Juanda International Airport – Surabaya
  3. Adisumarmo International Airport – Solo
• Pakistan:
  1. Islamabad International Airport
  2. Jinnah International Airport – Karachi
• Turkey:
  1. Istanbul International Airport
  2. Esenboğa International Airport – Ankara
• Malaysia:
  • Kuala Lumpur International Airport
• Morocco:
  • Mohammed V International Airport – Casablanca
• Bangladesh:
  • Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport – Dhaka

• Côte d’Ivoire:

  • Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport – Abidjan