Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 7 May 2026, 1:02 PM (Saudi time)
Saudia has launched Hajj 2026 operations with 160 aircraft and over one million seats spanning 145 global destinations, as part of Saudi Arabia's total air transport plan of 3.1 million seats across 12,000 flights.
Saudi Arabia has imposed fines of up to SAR 100,000 for facilitating unauthorised Hajj and up to SAR 20,000 for pilgrims performing Hajj without a permit, alongside 10-year re-entry bans for violators.
NCM Deploys Advanced Weather Monitoring for Hajj Safety وكالة الأنباء السعودية
Nearly 17 million foreign pilgrims perform Umrah in 2024, up 101% from 2022 Saudi Gazette
Flying With Saudia Or Flynas? You Can Now Perform Umrah Without A Separate Visa curlytales.com
How to perform Umrah on a free Saudi transit visa Gulf News
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Distributes Nusuk Cards for 1446 AH وكالة الأنباء السعودية
Pakistan prepares for early rollout of Hajj 2026 registration Arab News