Umrah travel expansion: 2.5m airline seats targeted for pilgrims

More than 700,000 airline seats have been earmarked to support Umrah and visitor traffic through the first quarter of 2025.

This was announced by Majid Khan, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Program, according to a report by Arab News.

The program aims to reach 2.5 million seats by the end of 2025, focusing on enhanced global air connectivity to the city. Khan emphasized this goal while speaking at the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah.

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Target markets include Europe, the Gulf, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and Indonesia, in line with the National Tourism Strategy.

A new air route from Stuttgart to Jeddah will launch this year — the third direct Umrah route from Germany, Khan added.

New airlines such as Eurowings have also been introduced, with recent routes from Berlin and Cologne to Jeddah.

Transavia, the French airline, will soon launch flights from Paris and Lyon to Jeddah. Additionally, starting in August, a daily flight from London’s Gatwick to Madinah will add approximately 180,000 seats.

Earlier this year, the program attracted 12 airlines and added 20 new routes to Saudi Arabia, totaling 1.5 million seats. Recent additions include ITA Airways, British Airways, Eurowings, Transavia, and Wizz Air.

The three-day forum, which began on April 14, is themed “Enriching the Experience of Umrah Performers and Visitors.” It was organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program.

Held at the King Salman International Convention Center until April 16, the forum hosted more than 150 exhibitors from over 100 countries.