Hajj 2026 Flight Schedule: Key Dates, Airlines, and Country-Specific Schedules

Last updated: Jun 5, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has officially announced the Hajj 2026 flight schedule, with pilgrim arrivals running from 18 April to 21 May 2026 and the post-Hajj departure phase running from 30 May to 30 June 2026.

Hajj 2026 News and Update: Is Hajj Still Happening This Year?

Table of Contents

When Do Hajj 2026 Flights Start and End?

GACA has set the official Hajj flight window in two distinct phases:

an arrival phase from 18 April to 21 May 2026 (1 Dhul-Qi’dah to 4 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH)
a departure phase from 30 May to 30 June 2026 (13 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 to 15 Muharram 1448 AH).

The arrival phase followed a two-stage structure:

Flights landed in Madinah first, from 18 April to 3 May, so pilgrims could visit the Prophet’s Mosque before travelling to Makkah.
Jeddah-bound arrivals began from 4 May 2026, handling the bulk of pilgrim traffic closer to the Hajj dates.

The core Hajj rites took place between 25 and 30 May 2026 (8–13 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH), with the Day of Arafah on 26 May and Eid al-Adha on 27 May.

As of early June 2026, the departure phase is underway and runs through 30 June. See the return flight schedule below for country-specific windows.

Which Airlines Are Operating Hajj 2026 Flights?

Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, is leading the operation, having allocated more than one million seats across 75 days of operations covering both the arrival and departure phases. The airline is deploying a fleet of 160 aircraft to serve pilgrims from 145 destinations worldwide.

Saudia’s Hajj-specific services include its “Luggage First” service, which handles approximately 330,000 bags separately, and the distribution of 230,000 bottles of Zamzam water.

The airline also serves more than 179,000 pilgrims through the “Makkah Route” initiative and deploys multilingual staff across its flights. It provides wheelchairs, medical stretchers, and oxygen equipment on all flights for pilgrims with accessibility needs.

Other Saudi-based carriers playing key roles include:

flynas — Contracted for a significant share of the airlift, particularly from South Asia and Africa
flyadeal — Budget carrier handling routes from South and Southeast Asia
Mukhtara Air — A new Saudi airline launching in 2026 specifically to serve Indonesian pilgrims, operating Airbus A330s to Madinah and Makkah

International airlines confirmed for the Hajj 2026 airlift include:

PIA — 202 flights from eight Pakistani cities
Garuda Indonesia — 15 wide-body aircraft serving 276 flight groups from 10 embarkation points
Akasa Air — India’s newest carrier, added to the official Hajj flight roster for the first time
airblue and Air Sial — Supporting Pakistan’s 468-flight schedule
KLM — Resumed Saudi Arabia services, transporting European pilgrims
Max Air and Air Peace — Primary carriers for Nigerian pilgrims

Hajj 2026 Flight Schedules by Country

Each country’s Hajj authority coordinates its own flight schedule within GACA’s overall window. Here’s what’s been announced for the three largest pilgrim-sending nations.

Impact of the Middle East Conflict on Flights

The ongoing US-Iran conflict has affected some Hajj flight routes for 2026. Several airlines have rerouted flights to avoid Iranian airspace, which may add travel time and increase costs for pilgrims from certain regions.

Saudi Arabia’s airspace remains open using contingency routings, and GACA has not reduced the overall Hajj flight schedule. However, pilgrims should check with their airline or Hajj operator for any route changes that may affect departure times or transit stops.

Pakistan

Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs released the full Hajj 2026 flight schedule with 468 flights transporting around 119,000 government-scheme pilgrims from 18 April to 21 May. Of these, 186 flights went to Madinah and 282 to Jeddah (starting 4 May).

PIA operates 202 of these flights, with airblue, Air Sial, and Saudia handling the rest.

PIA Jeddah Flights 2026: Current Status and Hajj Flight Updates

Outbound flights departed from eight cities:

Islamabad — 129 flights
Karachi — 124 flights
Lahore — 104 flights
Multan — 34 flights
Sialkot — 26 flights
Faisalabad — 23 flights
Quetta — 18 flights
Sukkur — 5 flights

Return flights for Pakistani pilgrims operate within the GACA departure window of 30 May to 30 June 2026. Your individual return date depends on whether you chose the long or short Hajj package.

You can check your individual flight assignment through the Pak Hajj mobile app or the Ministry of Religious Affairs flight inquiry portal.

India

The Haj Committee of India confirmed that charter flights began on 18 April 2026 and ran through 19 May. Return flights operate from 1 June to 30 June.

India’s schedule was split into two laps. Outbound flights to Madinah ran from 18 April to 4 May, and flights to Jeddah from 5 May to 19 May.

India’s total Hajj quota for 2026 is 175,025 pilgrims, split between 122,518 Haj Committee of India slots and 52,507 private operator slots. Flight details are communicated to individual pilgrims via SMS and WhatsApp, and published on the Haj Committee of India website and the HAJ SUVIDHA mobile app.

The Haj Committee of India has also introduced a self-flight booking option, allowing pilgrims to book their own flights through the official portal rather than being assigned a flight automatically.

Indonesia

Indonesia holds the world’s largest Hajj quota at 221,000 pilgrims for 2026. Garuda Indonesia has been contracted to transport 102,502 pilgrims across 276 flight groups using 15 wide-body aircraft, including Airbus A330s.

Flights departed from 10 embarkation cities across the archipelago: Banda Aceh, Medan, Padang, Jakarta, Solo, Yogyakarta, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Makassar, and Lombok.

New entrant Mukhtara Air also operates Hajj flights from Indonesia using Airbus A330 widebodies, adding extra capacity for the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.

Indonesia’s return phase runs from 1 June to 30 June 2026. Departures from Jeddah are scheduled for 1–15 June, followed by departures from Madinah from 16–30 June.

Hajj 2026 Return Flight Schedule

The post-Hajj departure phase opened on 30 May 2026 and runs through 30 June 2026 across all sending countries. Each national Hajj authority assigns individual return dates within this window, and pilgrims are notified through the same official channels used for their outbound flights.

As a general rule, pilgrims who arrived first in Madinah typically depart from Jeddah, and those who arrived in Jeddah depart from Madinah. The table below summarises the confirmed return windows for the three largest pilgrim-sending countries.

Country	Return window	Notes
Overall (GACA)	30 May – 30 June 2026	Kingdom-wide departure window for all carriers and countries
Pakistan	30 May – 30 June 2026	Exact date depends on long or short package; check the Pak Hajj app
India	1 June – 30 June 2026	Madinah-first pilgrims generally return via Jeddah and vice versa
Indonesia	1 June – 30 June 2026	Jeddah departures 1–15 June; Madinah departures 16–30 June

Return dates can shift with the moon-sighting calendar and operator scheduling, so confirm your flight through your national portal before travelling. Build in buffer days in case your return is reassigned.

Key Airports and What to Expect on Arrival

Almost all international Hajj flights land at one of two Saudi airports: King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah or Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) in Madinah.

Jeddah — Hajj Terminal (JED)

Jeddah’s dedicated Hajj Terminal is purpose-built for the pilgrimage, featuring a distinctive tent-like structure spanning 465,000 square metres that can process up to 80,000 passengers simultaneously. The terminal complex contains five buildings with 15 domed structures, each connected to boarding gates.

On-site services include health screening, baggage handling, immigration processing, and Hajj agent reception areas. Saudia deploys a dedicated workforce around the clock across Saudi airports — including Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Yanbu — to assist pilgrims.

Madinah — Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED)

Pilgrims arriving in Madinah typically spend several days visiting the Prophet’s Mosque before transferring to Makkah by road. This was the preferred route for the first phase of arrivals (18 April to 3 May).

Ground transport between Madinah and Makkah is typically included in Hajj packages. The Haramain High-Speed Railway also connects Madinah to Makkah via Jeddah, offering a faster alternative.

How to Check Your Hajj 2026 Flight Status

The easiest way to track Hajj flights is through the Nusuk Hajj platform, Saudi Arabia’s official portal for all Hajj-related logistics including flight assignments, visa status, and package details.

For country-specific flight tracking:

Pakistan — Use the Pak Hajj flight inquiry portal or the Pak Hajj mobile app
India — Check the Haj Committee of India website or the HAJ SUVIDHA app
Indonesia — Visit the Garuda Indonesia Hajj portal for flight group assignments

You can also use the Wego flight tracker to monitor real-time departure and arrival status for any Hajj flight. Simply search by airline or airport to see live updates.

Practical tips for a smooth journey:

Confirm your flight at least 72 hours before departure through your Hajj operator or national portal
Build in buffer days before and after core Hajj dates to account for delays or moon-sighting date shifts
Download your country’s Hajj app before travelling — flight changes are often communicated via push notifications
Carry printed copies of your flight itinerary, Hajj permit, and passport in case of connectivity issues at the airport
Check travel insurance coverage for cancellations and medical emergencies, particularly given current regional security conditions

For the latest flights to Jeddah and flights to Madinah, you can search and compare fares on Wego.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the first Hajj 2026 flight depart?

The first Hajj arrival flights landed in Madinah on 18 April 2026. Jeddah-bound flights began from 4 May 2026.

When do return flights after Hajj begin?

The departure phase began on 30 May 2026 and runs through 30 June 2026. India’s and Indonesia’s national return windows open on 1 June. Your specific return date depends on your Hajj package and national authority assignment.

Are Hajj flights affected by the Middle East conflict?

Some airlines have rerouted flights to avoid Iranian airspace, which may add travel time. Saudi airspace remains open, and GACA has not reduced the Hajj flight schedule.

How do I check my Hajj flight assignment?

Use the Nusuk Hajj platform or your country’s official Hajj portal. Pakistan uses the Pak Hajj app, India uses HAJ SUVIDHA, and Indonesia uses the Garuda Hajj portal.

What were the exact dates for Hajj 2026?

Hajj rites took place between 25 and 30 May 2026 (8–13 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH). The Day of Arafah fell on 26 May and Eid al-Adha on 27 May, following the official moon sighting by Saudi authorities.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.