Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative lets Hajj pilgrims from 10 countries complete immigration, visa processing, and baggage check-in at their home airports — so they can board dedicated buses to their accommodation in Makkah or Madinah the moment they land. Now in its eighth year, the program covers 18 airports across 10 countries for the Hajj 2026 season, adding Senegal and Brunei Darussalam for the first time.
What Is the Makkah Route Initiative?
The Makkah Route Initiative is a pre-clearance program run by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Vision 2030. It was first launched in 2017 with Malaysian pilgrims and has since served over 1.25 million pilgrims.
The core idea is simple: complete all Saudi entry procedures before the pilgrim ever boards a plane. Saudi immigration officers are stationed at participating airports abroad, where they handle passport control, biometric data collection, health verification, and electronic visa issuance on-site.
What Happens to Your Luggage?
One of the initiative’s most practical features is its smart baggage system. Your luggage is electronically tagged and coded at your departure airport, linked to your personal data and accommodation in Makkah or Madinah.
The bags are sorted before departure and transported directly to your residence upon arrival in Saudi Arabia — you don’t wait at a baggage carousel. Instead, you walk off the plane and board a dedicated bus to your hotel.
Which Countries and Airports Are Included in 2026?
For Hajj 2026, the Makkah Route Initiative operates across 18 airports in 10 countries. Two new countries have been added this year: Senegal and Brunei Darussalam.
| Country | Known Participating Airports |
|---|---|
| Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) |
| Indonesia | Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), Juanda (SUB), Adi Soemarmo (SOC), Sultan Hasanuddin/Makassar (UPG) |
| Pakistan | Islamabad (ISB), Allama Iqbal/Lahore (LHE), Jinnah/Karachi (KHI) |
| Bangladesh | Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka (DAC) |
| Turkiye | Istanbul Airport (IST), Esenboga/Ankara (ESB) |
| Morocco | Mohammed V/Casablanca (CMN), Rabat-Sale (RBA) |
| Cote d’Ivoire | Felix-Houphouet-Boigny/Abidjan (ABJ) |
| Maldives | Velana International Airport, Male (MLE) |
| Senegal (new) | Blaise Diagne International Airport, Dakar (DSS) |
| Brunei Darussalam (new) | Brunei International Airport (BWN) |
Morocco expanded its participation in 2026, adding Rabat-Sale airport alongside the existing Mohammed V airport in Casablanca. Pakistan also added Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport to its existing Islamabad and Karachi airports. Indonesia expanded to four Makkah Route airports this year, with Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar joining the existing three.
How Does Pre-Clearance Work Step by Step?
The Makkah Route pre-clearance process eliminates the need for pilgrims to go through Saudi immigration upon arrival. Here’s what happens at your departure airport:
- Saudi immigration officers stationed at your airport collect your biometric data (fingerprints and facial scan).
- Your Hajj visa is issued electronically on-site — no embassy visit required.
- Health and vaccination requirements are verified against Saudi Ministry of Health standards.
- Your passport is stamped and entry procedures are finalized before you board.
- Luggage is tagged with a smart code linked to your accommodation address in Saudi Arabia.
What Happens When You Land in Saudi Arabia?
Pilgrims arriving on Makkah Route flights land at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah or Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. Since your immigration was already completed at home, you skip passport control entirely.
GACA (Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation) has built dedicated reception lounges at both airports for Makkah Route travelers. From these lounges, you board assigned buses that take you directly to your accommodation — no queuing, no baggage claim, no confusion.
What’s New for the 2026 Hajj Season?
Several upgrades make this year’s Makkah Route the most comprehensive yet:
- The program has expanded from 7 countries in 2024 to 10. The Maldives joined in 2025, while Senegal and Brunei Darussalam are new for 2026.
- Airport coverage has grown to 18 departure points, including new additions in Rabat, Lahore, and Makassar.
- Saudi Arabia’s Tawakkalna app has been extended to Makkah Route pilgrims, giving them digital access to health records, transport schedules, and accommodation details on their phones.
- Dedicated Makkah Route reception lounges at Jeddah and Madinah airports now feature comfortable seating, refreshments, and multilingual staff.
Who Can Use the Makkah Route Initiative?
The Makkah Route is available exclusively to Hajj pilgrims departing from participating airports in the 10 eligible countries. You must be registered for Hajj through your country’s official Hajj authority and departing from one of the 18 designated airports.
Country-Specific Hajj Flight Guides
We’ve published detailed country-specific guides for pilgrims flying to Saudi Arabia this year:
- Hajj 2026 flights from Pakistan
- Hajj 2026 flights from Indonesia
- Hajj flights from Turkiye
- Hajj flights from Morocco
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Makkah Route Initiative?
The Makkah Route Initiative is a Saudi government pre-clearance program that allows Hajj pilgrims to complete immigration, visa, health checks, and baggage processing at their home airport before flying to Saudi Arabia.
Which countries are included in the Makkah Route for 2026?
Ten countries participate in 2026: Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire, the Maldives, Senegal, and Brunei Darussalam. Senegal and Brunei are new additions this year.
Does the Makkah Route include baggage delivery to my hotel?
Yes. Your luggage is electronically tagged at your departure airport and delivered directly to your accommodation in Makkah or Madinah. You don’t need to collect it at the Saudi airport.
How many pilgrims have used the Makkah Route since it started?
As of May 2026, over 1.25 million pilgrims have benefited from the initiative since its launch in 2017, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Sources
- Saudi Press Agency — Ministry of Interior Expands Makkah Route Initiative to 10 Countries for Eighth Year
- Arab News — Transport Minister Highlights Seamless Hajj Travel as Makkah Route Flights Arrive
- Arab News — Saudi Arabia Launches Makkah Route in Senegal (1,254,994 pilgrim figure)
- Arab News — Saudi Team Works Round the Clock to Speed Up Procedures for Bangladeshi Pilgrims
- Morocco World News — Hajj 2026: Morocco Expands Makkah Route to Rabat-Sale Airport
- Union of OIC News Agencies — Saudi Arabia Launches the Makkah Route Initiative in Brunei Darussalam
- Madhyamam — Hajj 2026: Tawakkalna App Extends Services for Makkah Route Pilgrims
- Trade Arabia — GACA Allocates Dedicated Lounges for Makkah Route Pilgrims
- Saudipedia — Makkah Route Initiative
- Indonesia Directorate General of Immigration — Makassar Hajj Pilgrims Can Now Use Makkah Route
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