Hajj 2026: Saudi Arabia Welcomes Over 1.5 Million Pilgrims as Dubai Airports Mobilize for 3,600+ Travelers
Al Barsha 1 DUBAI – With the sacred journey of Hajj 2026 now underway, Saudi Arabia has welcomed more than 1.5 million international pilgrims as authorities finalize massive preparations across the holy sites. Meanwhile, Dubai Airports has mobilized a comprehensive operation to facilitate over 3,600 pilgrims departing from the emirate.
Global Hajj 2026 by the Numbers
According to the Saudi Directorate General of Passports, a total of 1,518,153 international pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom for Hajj 1447 AH. Of these:
| Mode of Arrival | Number of Pilgrims |
|---|---|
| By Air | 1,457,514 |
| By Land | 54,141 |
| By Sea | 6,497 |
Total arrivals, including domestic pilgrims from within Saudi Arabia, are expected to reach approximately 1.8 to 2 million by the peak of the Hajj season.
Saudi Arabia’s Expansive Preparations
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, confirmed that more than 60 government agencies are working together to implement over 100 quality initiatives aimed at enhancing the pilgrim experience in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Key developments for Hajj 2026 include:
- The “Hajj Without a Bag” Initiative: Pilgrims from abroad can ship their luggage directly to their residences in Saudi Arabia, reducing airport processing time from 120 minutes to just 15 minutes.
- Nusuk Digital Platform: Serving more than 51 million users worldwide, the platform now offers over 130 digital services and enables direct booking for pilgrims from 126 countries.
- Infrastructure Expansion: Over 25 development projects have been completed at the holy sites, including:
The Makkah Route Initiative, which streamlines immigration and customs procedures at airports in originating countries, has already facilitated the travel of approximately 240,000 pilgrims from participating nations.
Security and Regulations
Saudi authorities have deployed extensive security measures to ensure pilgrims’ safety. Director General of Public Security, Mohammed Al-Bassami, announced that anyone caught transporting individuals without official Hajj permits faces up to six months in prison, fines of up to 50,000 Saudi riyals per violator, and vehicle seizure. Foreign violators will be deported and banned from re-entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years.
Additionally, more than 50,000 inspection tours have been conducted since the beginning of the season to verify the readiness of facilities serving pilgrims.
Dubai’s Hajj Operation
Here in the UAE, Dubai Airports has prepared to welcome over 3,600 pilgrims during this year’s Hajj travel period, representing nearly 59 percent of all UAE pilgrims passing through its terminals.
Hajj departure flights are operating through May 23 on services by Emirates, Saudia, flydubai, and flynas. The official Dubai Government Delegation departed on May 21.
A comprehensive operational readiness plan has been developed in coordination with multiple government entities, including:
| Partner Organization | Role |
|---|---|
| Dubai Police | Security and crowd management |
| GDRFA | Immigration and passport services |
| Dubai Customs | Clearance and inspection |
| Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) | Medical emergency response |
| Dubai Health Authority (DHA) | Health screenings and support |
| Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) | Transportation logistics |
| dnata | Ground handling services |
Pilgrim Return Schedule
Pilgrims are expect to return to Dubai between May 30 and June 2. Returning pilgrims will be welcome with dedicated arrival arrangements, including separate baggage belts for Zamzam water to ensure smooth processing.
Arafat Sermon to be Translate into 50 Languages
In a significant move to enhance the spiritual experience for non-Arabic speaking pilgrims, the Arafat sermon will be translate into 50 languages. The capacity of the Noble Garden (Rawdah) at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina has also increased significantly, from 15,000 visitors per day three years ago to approximately 57,000 visitors per day, supported by an early electronic booking system.
– AlBarsha1.ae News Desk
