Corendon Airlines has launched direct Umrah flights from Turkey for the 2026-2027 season, opening a fresh route for pilgrims travelling to the holy city of Makkah during the summer months. The carrier operated its first direct Antalya-Jeddah service of the season on July 1, and it has confirmed plans to extend the programme to five more Turkish cities in the weeks ahead.
The move adds capacity at a time when demand for year-round Umrah travel continues to climb and airlines compete to serve pilgrims outside the annual Hajj season.
The first flight and schedule
According to Turkish aviation outlet AeroHaber, Corendon Airlines operated flight XC9903 from Antalya Airport on July 1 in cooperation with Royal Avis. The aircraft departed at 07:30 local time and landed in Jeddah at 10:45, completing the journey in roughly three hours and 15 minutes.
The airline is running four flights each week on the Antalya-Jeddah route as of July 2026. Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the two main gateways for pilgrims, giving travellers direct access to Makkah for Umrah before onward travel to Madinah.
Corendon said its aim is to provide uninterrupted transport for Umrah pilgrims throughout the summer season. Direct routing matters for pilgrims because it removes long layovers at connecting hubs, a factor that has made some journeys more tiring in a year marked by regional airspace disruptions and longer detours on certain routes.
Expansion to five more cities
Corendon has confirmed that direct access to the holy lands will soon be offered not only from Antalya but also from Konya, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Kocaeli and Ankara. The staggered rollout is designed to widen access for pilgrims across Turkey rather than concentrating departures in a single city.
The expansion reflects a broader trend across the industry. Turkish Airlines recently unveiled discounted Umrah fares for pilgrims travelling from the United States, and other carriers have introduced dedicated products and promotional pricing as religious tourism grows. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 target of welcoming 30 million Umrah performers a year has encouraged airlines to build out capacity on routes into Jeddah and Madinah.
What pilgrims should keep in mind
Pilgrims planning to use the new services should confirm bookings and requirements before travelling. Under current rules, an Umrah visa must be used to enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance, and accommodation and internal transport must be arranged through an approved agent or the official Nusuk platform before a visa is approved.
Travellers are advised to book flights well ahead during the busy summer window, check baggage allowances specific to the operating carrier, and confirm the exact departure city as Corendon adds new points of origin. Because July is one of the hottest months in Makkah, pilgrims should also plan for the heat, carry documentation of any required vaccinations, and allow time for rest after arrival.
As always, pilgrims should verify schedules directly with the airline, since flight times and frequencies can change through the season. For those departing from Turkey, the new direct options offer a shorter and more convenient path to the two holy cities.