Saudi Arabia on Tuesday received the first groups of pilgrims arriving to perform 2025 Hajj, including those traveling under the "Makkah Route" initiative, as flights from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Turkey and Malaysia landed in Jeddah and Madinah.

King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah have welcomed first flights from India and Bangladeshi respectively.

- Arrival of pilgrims from India

The flight carrying 396 Bangladeshi pilgrims from Dhaka was received by Minister of Transport and Logistics, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser.

The Bangladeshi flight was followed by flights from Malaysis, Pakistan and Turkey, as at the time of filling this report.

The flights were among several scheduled arrivals through Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

Al-Jasser noted that six major airports have been designated to serve pilgrims this Hajj season: King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah), Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Madinah), Prince Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz Airport (Yanbu), Taif International Airport, King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh), and King Fahd International Airport (Dammam).

- Arrival from Malaysia

Madinah also received several flights under the “Makkah Route” initiative. These included arrivals from Islamabad, Pakistan, Hyderabad, India (carrying 262 pilgrims), and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The “Makkah Route” initiative aims to streamline the Hajj journey by providing pre-departure visa issuance, customs, and immigration procedures at the airport of origin.

- Bangladeshi pilgrims 

“Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims are transported directly to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah, with their luggage delivered separately through coordinated partner agencies.”