Pakistan has launched its Hajj 2026 flight operation with over 119,000 government-scheme pilgrims set to travel to Saudi Arabia on 468 flights by May 21. The first flight, PK-747, departed from Sialkot carrying over 390 pilgrims to Madinah, marking the start of a six-week airlift involving PIA, airblue, Air Sial, and Saudia.
Road to Makkah Expands to Three Cities
The Road to Makkah initiative - which allows pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration procedures at their departure airports rather than on arrival - has expanded to three Pakistani cities for 2026: Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. The programme now benefits over 95,000 Pakistani pilgrims, who bypass passport control and baggage claim entirely upon landing in Saudi Arabia and proceed directly to buses.
The first Road to Makkah flight departed Islamabad for Madinah on April 19. Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said the government was providing pilgrims with the "best possible facilities" as operations commenced.
Eight Departure Cities
Hajj flights are operating from eight cities across Pakistan: Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Quetta, and Sukkur. Madinah-bound flights began on April 18, with Jeddah-bound flights scheduled to start on May 4. The outbound phase runs through May 21, while return flights are planned from May 30 to June 30.
The geographic spread of departure cities is designed to reduce the burden on pilgrims from remote areas who would otherwise need to travel long distances to major airports. Sukkur and Quetta, in particular, serve pilgrims from Sindh's interior and Balochistan who previously faced journeys of 10 hours or more just to reach their departure point.
Enhanced Pilgrim Services
Pakistani pilgrims this year receive a number of upgraded services. Each pilgrim is provided with an e-SIM card for connectivity in Saudi Arabia, pre-arranged accommodation with advance room allocation, and access to the Haramain high-speed train service between Makkah and Madinah. Nusuk smart cards are issued at accommodation for access to the holy sites.
These improvements build on lessons from previous years where connectivity issues and last-minute accommodation changes caused significant distress for pilgrims. The e-SIM provision in particular addresses a longstanding complaint that pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia would go hours without being able to contact family or group leaders.
Part of a Global Airlift
Pakistan's 468-flight operation sits within Saudi Arabia's broader Hajj transport plan. According to Gulf News, the Kingdom has welcomed pilgrims on 7,000 flights from 238 cities globally this season, with a total of 3.1 million seats allocated across over 12,000 flights. Pakistan holds one of the largest national Hajj quotas, reflecting the country's position as one of the world's most populous Muslim-majority nations.
What Pakistani Pilgrims Should Know
Pilgrims should ensure their Nusuk app is downloaded and registration is complete before travelling. Those departing under the Road to Makkah initiative should arrive at the airport with all documentation ready, as Saudi immigration procedures will be completed on-site. All pilgrims must carry their meningitis vaccination certificate - the ACYW quadrivalent vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before arrival. Pilgrims are also advised to carry their Nusuk card at all times once in Saudi Arabia, as it is required for entry to the holy sites and access to transport services.