6.8mln people travel via four Saudi airports during 2025 Umrah season
JEDDAH — More than 6.8 million passengers including pilgrims passed through four Saudi airports during Umrah season 2025 — from the first of Ramadan until the seventh of Shawwal, the Matarat Holding Company has announced.
The four airports are King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Prince Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Yanbu, and Taif International Airport.
Passenger traffic on international flights reached more than 4.6 million passengers, including arrivals and departures, while the number of passengers on domestic flights reached 2.1 million.The total number of flights reached approximately 40,000, including more than 25,000 international flights and more than 14,000 domestic flights.
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah recorded the highest air traffic volume with more than 5.3 million passengers, followed by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah with more than 1.1 million passengers, while the total number of passengers traveling through Prince Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz Airport in Yanbu and Taif International Airport combined was more than 212,000.
Matarat Holding Company continues its efforts, in coordination with relevant authorities to ensure smooth passenger flow by intensifying field work teams, supporting operational staff, and enhancing passenger services within the terminals, including providing amenities and facilitating travel procedures.
© Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Web Release
10 hours ago
- Web Release
The Ministry of Investment for Saudi Arabia shows support for new health and fitness event
The Ministry of Investment for Saudi Arabia and its Sport Sector Team have signed an investment agreement with RX Arabia to support the successful launch of FIBO Arabia in the Kingdom, which will debut at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center from 1-3 October 2025. The sports and fitness industry in Saudi Arabia continues to gain considerable momentum. Organised by RX, a global leader in events and exhibitions, and under the theme for a strong and healthy society, FIBO Arabia is already 60% sold out following a successful sales launch at FIBO's flagship tradeshow in Cologne, Germany last month. There, 1,200 exhibitors and partners from 60 nations and 154,748 visitors from 129 countries were welcomed. The launch of FIBO Arabia coincides with the Saudi government's significant support for investing in the country's sports sector as part of the Kingdom's 2030 strategy to diversify its economy. The government aims to increase sports spending by US$22 billion by 2030, encompassing sports clubs, academies, sportswear and equipment, and sports facilities. Vasyl Zhygalo, Managing Director, Middle East and Emerging Markets, RX: 'We are honoured that the Ministry of Investment for Saudi Arabia is supporting the launch of FIBO Arabia. This underscores the importance of health and fitness to the Saudi Arabian government and highlights its investment-friendly attitude towards overseas entrepreneurs and progressive companies that want to invest in their health and fitness sector.' The country's focus on becoming a global sports hub is underscored by the announcement of major events to take place in Saudi Arabia, including the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, and the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which will provide a significant boost to its position as a global sports hub. Furthermore, according to Gymnation, which operates a chain of fitness centres in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the Saudi fitness market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% between now and 2032 when the health and fitness market is projected to be worth US$2.28 billion. The growth in the market is largely attributed to government initiatives aimed at enhancing the population's quality of life and promoting physical activity, as well as a rise in health consciousness among the population. Basim K. Ibrahim, Sport Sector Investment Development Director, Ministry of Investment for Saudi Arabia, added: 'FIBO Arabia represents a pivotal platform in advancing Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals by promoting a culture of fitness and wellness while also highlighting the Kingdom's growing potential as a hub for investment within this sector. With increasing emphasis on exercise, sports, and wellbeing across the Kingdom, the event provides a vital opportunity for international and local brands to showcase the latest innovations and technologies in the industry. We look forward to the positive impact FIBO Arabia will have on our communities and the exciting prospects it will unlock for the future.' Professional development will be a key focus of the show, with FIBO Arabia hosting a series of expert-led workshops, seminars, and keynote sessions. These continuing education opportunities are designed to equip attendees with the tools, insights, and certifications needed to thrive in today's rapidly evolving fitness and wellness landscape. From innovation and education to networking and live engagement, FIBO Arabia 2025 promises to be a must-attend event for anyone passionate about shaping the future of health, fitness, and wellness in the Middle East and beyond. For more information on FIBO Arabia, please visit
Campaign ME
12 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Relevance is the real luxury
Luxury is no longer just a product – it's a cultural conversation. And in the Middle East, that conversation is evolving faster than ever before. Traditionally associated with exclusivity, status and craftsmanship, the luxury industry is now navigating a more complex world. Today's consumer, particularly in the GCC, is younger, digitally fluent and culturally aware. They are not just buying into a brand – they are buying into a set of values and experiences that reflect who they are or aspire to be, making relevance more critical than ever. This shift is prompting client-side marketers to ask important questions: What does luxury mean to the next generation? How do we build emotional connection while preserving brand mystique? And how can we remain aspirational in a region where attention is fleeting? Here are four key challenges – and priorities – that premium brands must address to stay relevant in this dynamic landscape. From exclusivity to cultural relevance The traditional codes of luxury – heritage, craftsmanship and rarity – still matter, but they're no longer enough. In the Middle East, where identity and self-expression are increasingly individualistic, brands must rethink what exclusivity looks like. Younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, value purpose over pedigree. They expect brands to stand for something meaningful and reflect the diversity of their lives. A brand that once built desire through scarcity may now find more success by creating culturally relevant limited editions or partnering with local artists who offer fresh perspectives. Our own journey reflects this evolution. Since 2021, we've repositioned the brand toward a more luxury direction through major rebranding – from retail and packaging updates to a refined colour palette and a clearer, purpose-led identity. These moves were more than cosmetic – they marked a strategic shift to align with changing consumer expectations. Cultural relevance also means showing up authentically. That's why we've launched regional campaigns around key moments like Ramadan and collaborated with talents such as Laila Abdullah, fostering emotional connection through local storytelling. Rethinking the retail experience Despite the digital shift, physical retail remains central in the Middle East. Malls are more than shopping centres – they're lifestyle hubs. Consumers want more than transactions; they seek immersive, personalised experiences. Luxury brands must reimagine retail as an experiential space. This includes seamless integration between digital and physical – apps with VIP concierge services, AR tools in fitting rooms and loyalty programmes offering exclusive access. 'Luxury marketing isn't just performance-driven; it's perception-driven.' We recently brought this to life with the global launch of our Arianna collection, which featured a high-impact event and a Burj Khalifa takeover. This wasn't just about buzz – it created a culturally relevant moment that reinforced brand positioning and drove awareness. However, many brands still struggle with fragmented omnichannel strategies. CRM systems aren't always aligned with local behaviours and store teams may lack the training to deliver high-touch service. Solving this isn't just about tech upgrades – it's a mindset shift toward holistic client engagement. Bridging the talent and execution gap Another challenge is the disconnect between global strategy and local execution. Headquarters may set the vision, but local teams are the ones who bring it to life in culturally meaningful ways. The problem? There's a shortage of senior marketing talent in the luxury space who can blend global brand thinking with regional nuance. Agencies, too, are often stretched thin, with roles focused more on adaptation than innovation. To overcome this, brands must invest in building empowered in-market teams – marketers who think strategically, not just tactically. At the same time, agency relationships must evolve into co-creative partnerships that go beyond execution. Tracking desirability, not just visibility In the world of luxury, success isn't just about being seen – it's about being desired. At Swarovski, desirability is one of our key metrics. While performance indicators like reach and engagement offer a snapshot of campaign visibility, they don't fully capture the strength of emotional connection or long-term brand equity. Especially in premium markets like the Middle East, it's not enough to generate noise – we need to cultivate aspiration. That's why regional teams must push for frameworks that assess brand love, emotional resonance and cultural relevance – factors that build true affinity over time. It's about understanding how our brand is perceived, how it makes people feel and how meaningfully we show up in their lives. Luxury marketing isn't just performance-driven; it's perception-driven. And that calls for deeper, more nuanced metrics that reflect lasting impact – not just campaign visibility. The way forward is relevance The Middle East is not just a luxury growth market – it's a trendsetter. With its young, affluent population and appetite for innovation, it's fertile ground for bold, thoughtful brands. But relevance won't come from repeating global playbooks. It requires listening deeply, acting nimbly and marketing with both heart and context. For client-side marketers, the task is clear: lead with empathy, localise with integrity and remember – in luxury, the smallest details often speak the loudest. By Sarah Dja Yahia, Head of Marketing ME, SEA and India, Swarovski
Arabian Business
12 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces start of new Umrah season
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially announced the commencement of the Umrah season for 2025 (1447 of the Islamic calendar), beginning on Tuesday with the opening of visa applications for international pilgrims. As part of its ongoing mission aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the ministry aims to streamline and enrich the Umrah experience. Welcome, Guests of Allah 🕋🇸🇦 The 1447H Umrah season officially begins today with the issuance of visas for pilgrims arriving from outside Saudi Arabia. Starting tomorrow, Umrah permits will be available through the #Nusuk app. #Ease_And_Tranquility — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) June 10, 2025 Starting Wednesday, pilgrims from abroad can secure their permits via the 'Nu s uk' app, Saudi Arabia's centralised digital gateway for Hajj and Umrah services. The platform simplifies the process of permit acquisition and offers a suite of digital tools designed to support and guide pilgrims throughout their journey. The ministry affirmed that extensive operational and technical preparations were made in advance, in coordination with relevant authorities, to ensure a smooth and efficient start to the season. As part of its broader vision, the ministry is also expanding multilingual digital tools and awareness initiatives to better serve pilgrims. These efforts are designed to maintain exceptional standards of care and security, underscoring the Kingdom's dedication to those making the sacred journey to Makkah and Madinah.
