Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 24 Jun 2026, 5:12 PM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia restricted entry to Makkah from 13 April 2026 to Hajj permit holders only and suspended Umrah permits from 18 April to 31 May 2026 as the Kingdom prepares for the Hajj pilgrimage beginning around 25 May.
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.
NAHCON Concludes 2026 Hajj Airlift, Begins Planning For 2027 Pilgrimage LEADERSHIP Newspapers
NAHCON completes return flight for 2026 Hajj Daily Trust
2026 hajj: NAHCON completes return airlift, says 12 pilgrims hospitalised in Saudi Arabia TheCable
King Salman to host 1,000 Umrah pilgrims Saudi Gazette
2026 Hajj: NAHCON concludes airlifting of 38,000 Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia Peoples Gazette Nigeria
2026 Hajj: NAHCON concludes return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims Vanguard News