Saudi Arabia has confirmed a major transport transformation for Makkah, with official approval granted for the holy city's first international airport and fresh progress reported on a long-planned metro network. According to Saudi Gazette and TradeArabia, the projects are designed to move millions of pilgrims and residents more easily through one of the world's fastest-growing religious destinations.

The announcements were made by Saleh Al Rasheed, chief executive of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites. He confirmed that the strategic and economic directions for developing Makkah Airport have been approved, and that feasibility studies and preliminary designs for a city metro have been completed.

A dedicated airport for the holy city

At present, the vast majority of international pilgrims arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. From there, they travel roughly 100 kilometres by road to reach Makkah. The journey adds hours to an already long trip and places heavy pressure on the highways linking the two cities, especially during peak Umrah and Hajj periods.

The new Makkah airport is intended to change that pattern. Officials say it will be designed to meet global standards and to accommodate millions of visitors each year, allowing many pilgrims to arrive far closer to the Grand Mosque. The Royal Commission has stressed that the project will be developed in partnership with the private sector, using investment models that do not undermine the viability of airports in neighbouring cities such as Jeddah.

For pilgrims, a dedicated Makkah gateway could mean shorter transfers, less time on the road, and a smoother arrival experience. The exact location, opening date, and passenger capacity have not yet been finalised, and the project remains in its planning and design phase.

Makkah metro moves closer to reality

Alongside the airport, authorities are advancing plans for a Makkah metro system. Al Rasheed confirmed that feasibility studies and preliminary designs have been completed, laying the groundwork for a modern urban transport network in the holy city.

The need is significant. Makkah currently relies heavily on buses for public transport. According to figures cited in the reports, the city's bus network serves around 185 million passengers a year through roughly 400 vehicles operating across 12 routes and covering some 580 kilometres. A rail-based metro would ease congestion, cut travel times, and provide a more reliable option for residents and visitors alike.

Private-sector transport initiatives are also part of the picture. One planned facility, the West Jamarat station, is designed to allow pilgrims to complete Tawaf Al Ifadah in as little as 20 minutes, with a capacity of up to 20,000 passengers per hour. Projects of this scale reflect the Kingdom's focus on crowd management as pilgrim numbers continue to climb.

Part of a wider Vision 2030 push

The airport and metro plans sit within Saudi Arabia's broader Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to expand the Kingdom's capacity to host pilgrims and to modernise the infrastructure around the two holy mosques. Recent years have already seen large investments in cooling systems, shaded walkways, high-speed rail, and digital services delivered through the Nusuk platform.

Direct air access to Makkah, combined with an internal metro, would represent one of the most substantial changes to pilgrim travel in decades. It would reduce the Kingdom's reliance on Jeddah as the single main entry point and give planners more flexibility in managing the flow of worshippers during the busiest seasons.

Both projects remain in early stages, and Saudi authorities have not published a construction timeline or final budget. Pilgrims planning trips in the near term should not expect these facilities to be available for the upcoming seasons.

What pilgrims should keep in mind

While the new airport and metro are still years away, there are practical points worth noting now:

  • Plan around Jeddah for now. For the current Umrah season and Hajj 2027, most international pilgrims will still arrive via King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and travel onward to Makkah by road.
  • Factor in transfer time. Allow several hours for the journey between Jeddah and Makkah, particularly during peak periods, and confirm transport arrangements through your Nusuk bookings.
  • Watch official channels. Follow the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Royal Commission for Makkah City for confirmed updates, rather than relying on unofficial dates circulating online.
  • Consider the Haramain High-Speed Railway. The existing high-speed line already links Makkah, Jeddah, King Abdulaziz Airport, and Madinah, and tickets can be booked through the Nusuk app.

As the holy city prepares for ever larger numbers of visitors, the approved airport and advancing metro plans signal a long-term commitment to easing the pilgrim journey. For now, the projects remain a promise of smoother travel to come, rather than an option for this season's worshippers.