Latest news with #PrinceMohammadbinAbdulazizInternationalAirport
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Warns Pilgrims: Leave Before Hajj Visa Expires Or Face Penalties
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has called on all pilgrims to leave the Kingdom before the expiration of their Hajj visas, highlighting the importance of respecting regulations and avoiding legal consequences associated with overstaying. In an official statement, the ministry said that timely departure is not only a legal obligation but also a respect for the Kingdom's regulations and the annual pilgrimage season. 'Abiding by the designated departure period preserves the integrity of Hajj procedures and ensures ongoing facilitation for all guests of God,' the ministry said. The ministry further stressed that pilgrims must comply with all relevant laws, use their visas strictly for the purposes of Hajj, and avoid any involvement with unlicensed agents or activities beyond the permitted period. Failure to comply could result in legal penalties or future travel restrictions. Government authorities have launched an extensive departure operation, with the General Directorate of Passports deploying staff and advanced technologies across all international air, land, and sea exit points. 'We have mobilized personnel and security systems to ensure an efficient and orderly exit process for pilgrims,' the directorate said. In the Medina Region, local authorities have started farewelling pilgrims departing via Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Many are spending time in the city after Hajj to visit the Prophet's Mosque before returning home. To streamline the process, a dedicated program coordinates transfers from residences to the airport, overseen by the regional Hajj and Visit Committee. The airport saw significant traffic during the pre-Hajj phase, welcoming 719,400 pilgrims, nearly half of all air-arriving Hajj pilgrims this year on 1,910 flights from 196 cities across 53 countries. That figure represented 60 percent of all Hajj-related flights arriving at Saudi airports this season.
Arab News
30-04-2025
- Arab News
First flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from Turkiye land in Saudi Arabia
Madinah: The first flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from Turkiye arrived at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Wednesday. The annual Islamic pilgrimage is set to take place this year between June 4 and 9. Authorities are providing qualified staff who are fluent in several languages and equipped with the latest technology to help simplify entry procedures for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported, and are ready to assist people arriving by land and sea as well as air. An estimated 1.8 million pilgrims participated in Hajj last year.
Arabian Business
15-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia religious tourism surges 55% as Makkah, Madinah flights soar: Skyscanner
Saudi Arabia's religious tourism sector continues to expand rapidly, with new data from travel comparison site Skyscanner showing substantial increases in flight searches to the Kingdom's holy cities. Inbound flight searches to Saudi Arabia increased by 55 per cent year-on-year between 2023 and 2024, while January 2025 has already recorded a 21 per cent rise compared to January 2024, according to the report. Saudi Arabia's pilgrimage boom The data highlights the impact of major religious events on travel patterns. The busiest search day in 2024 was March 13, coinciding with preparations for Ramadan. March 2024 saw an 11.6 per cent surge in travel interest compared to February, while January and March 2024 recorded increases of 69 per cent and 66 per cent respectively. Looking ahead to 2025, peak travel interest centres around early March, with March 2 and March 7 emerging as the most searched-for arrival dates. The week beginning February 3, 2025 showed a 49 per cent increase in searches compared to the previous week, indicating strong early-year demand as Ramadan approaches. Madinah has become a focal point for pilgrimage travel, with searches for flights to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport rising by 54 per cent year-on-year. Air connectivity gaps persist Despite the growth, Skyscanner's data reveals a gap in direct air connectivity to key religious destinations. Manchester and London Heathrow top the list of unserved routes with high demand for direct flights to Madinah. The growth in religious tourism aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the Kingdom's economy. Infrastructure projects such as the Makkah Route Initiative and the Haramain High-Speed Railway are underway to improve the pilgrim experience. Industry experts suggest that expanding direct flight routes and offering more flexible booking options will be essential to accommodate the increasing number of religious travellers.
Arab News
11-03-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Waqf Khair Madinah provides 619,000 meals
MADINAH: Waqf Khair Madinah continues to provide iftar and suhoor meals to Madinah's visitors. Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Harbi, vice president of the council of NGOs in the Kingdom, said that during the first third of this year's Ramadan, 619,619 people were provided meals, with a daily average of 61,961 people across various locations. The scheme distributed 398,693 iftar and suhoor meals, 46,740 cups of juices and tea, 165,270 water bottles and 6,550 kg of fruits and vegetables. Al-Harbi said that the distribution operations extend across a wide network of locations, with the Prophet's Mosque and its courtyards being the primary sites due to the large number of worshipers and visitors. The distribution operations also included the Quba and Al-Qiblatain mosques, as well as hospitality centers at the Haramain Train Station, Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport and Sayed Al-Shuhada site, where a large number of people benefited from the program, particularly visitors and Umrah pilgrims arriving in Madinah. Additionally, meals were provided to fasting patients and their companions at hospitals, as well as five labor housing sites, to support the most vulnerable groups and ensure that Ramadan iftar meals reach them. Waqf Khair Madinah is operating under a comprehensive plan to ensure smooth and efficient meal distribution while adhering to the highest standards of food quality and safety. This is achieved through the efforts of a supervisory team of nine supervisors, and an executive team of 74 members working around the clock to ensure that the meals reach all designated locations. About 100 female and male volunteers, organized into seven volunteer teams, are taking part in the organization of the iftar distribution and communication with beneficiaries to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for fasting individuals. The program is implemented in collaboration with official and charitable bodies in the region, reflecting Madinah's values of social solidarity.
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Zawya
Madinah Bus launches 24/7 airport-to-Prophet's Mosque route for Ramadan
Madinah -- The Madinah Bus service, overseen by Al Madinah Region Development Authority, announced Tuesday the launch of a dedicated public transport route operating around the clock throughout Ramadan. The route will run between Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport and the Prophet's Mosque, providing seamless transportation for visitors. The authority encouraged beneficiaries to check the designated stops for the shuttle service via and select their boarding point accordingly.
