The first international pilgrims for Hajj 2026 touched down in Saudi Arabia on April 18, marking the formal start of what is expected to be one of the largest pilgrimage seasons in history. Flights carrying pilgrims from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Malaysia landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

A Record-Scale Operation

Saudi Arabia has allocated 3.1 million seats across more than 12,000 flights to transport pilgrims this season. The national carrier Saudia has deployed 160 aircraft covering 145 destinations worldwide.

India alone is sending 175,025 pilgrims through 17 embarkation points across the country. The first Indian batch departed Delhi on April 18, equipped with new digital tools including the Hajj Suvidha App for real-time assistance and smart wristbands designed to track and locate pilgrims if needed.

The Makkah Route Initiative

Several countries are participating in the Makkah Route initiative, a programme that allows pilgrims to complete immigration, health checks, and baggage procedures before departure from their home countries. Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, these pilgrims bypass passport control and baggage claim entirely, proceeding directly to buses that transport them to their accommodation.

Pakistan sent its first flight from Islamabad to Madinah under the initiative, with 155 pilgrims receiving a warm reception upon arrival. Bangladesh, Turkey, and Malaysia are also participating in the programme this year.

What Pilgrims Should Know

With Hajj expected to fall between May 25 and 30, pilgrims arriving now will spend the coming weeks in Makkah and Madinah preparing spiritually and logistically. The Nusuk app is mandatory for Grand Mosque entry, and all pilgrims must carry their Nusuk smart card from arrival to departure. Pilgrims are advised to download the Nusuk app, familiarise themselves with their accommodation details, and ensure all health requirements - including the mandatory meningitis vaccination - have been completed.