The first flights carrying beneficiaries of the “Makkah Route” initiative departed from Malaysia today, heading to the Kingdom via the initiative’s dedicated lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, bound for Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
The initiative aims to provide high-quality services to the Guests of the Most Merciful from beneficiary countries, by receiving them and completing their procedures in their home countries with ease and convenience. This process starts with biometric data collection and electronic Hajj visa issuance, proceeds through passport procedures at the departure airport after verifying health requirements, and includes coding and sorting luggage according to transportation and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom. Pilgrims then transfer directly to buses that take them to their residences in Makkah and Madinah via dedicated routes, while partner entities handle the delivery of their luggage.
The “Makkah Route” Initiative
The initiative is being implemented in its eighth year in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Hajj and Umrah, and Media, as well as the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority of Awqaf, the Guests of the Most Merciful Service Program, and the General Directorate of Passports, in integration with the digital partner (stc Group). Since its launch, the initiative has served 1,254,994 pilgrims.
Makkah Route
The Makkah Route Initiative is a Saudi Arabian government program launched in 2019 to streamline the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage process for international visitors. It allows pilgrims to complete all immigration, customs, and baggage procedures in their home countries before departure, significantly easing their travel. This modern service reflects the Kingdom’s long-standing historical role in facilitating the pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest city, Makkah.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is Malaysia’s primary international gateway, officially opened in 1998 to replace the overcapacity of the former Subang Airport. Designed to be a major aviation hub for Southeast Asia, its architecture incorporates Islamic and local design motifs, such as its iconic “airport in the forest” concept.
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Makkah
Makkah (Mecca) is the holiest city in Islam, located in present-day Saudi Arabia. It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, the most sacred shrine in Islam, which Muslims believe was originally built by the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail. Every year, millions of Muslims perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah, a mandatory religious duty that traces its rituals back to these ancient origins.
Madinah
Madinah, officially known as Medina, is a city in western Saudi Arabia revered as the second holiest city in Islam. It is historically significant as the destination of the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijrah) in 622 CE, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, and it served as the capital of the early Muslim community. The city is most famous for Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque), which contains Muhammad’s tomb and is a major pilgrimage site.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is Malaysia’s primary international gateway, officially opened in 1998 to replace the older Subang Airport. Designed to reflect Malaysia’s cultural identity and natural environment, its main terminal features elements inspired by Islamic architecture and a rainforest within the building. It has since grown into a major aviation hub for Southeast Asia, with the addition of the low-cost carrier terminal, KLIA2, in 2014.
Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport
Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport is the primary international airport serving Medina, Saudi Arabia. It was originally opened in 1950 and significantly expanded in 2015 to accommodate the millions of pilgrims visiting the Islamic holy cities. The airport is named in honor of Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz, a former governor of the Medina region.
