The Makkah Route Initiative in Istanbul: Facilitating the Hajj Journey for the Guests of God
Through its “Makkah Route” initiative at Istanbul Airport in Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to provide high-quality services to pilgrims, transforming the arduous Hajj journey into a seamless spiritual experience that begins in the pilgrim's home country. This initiative, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 program for serving pilgrims, streamlines all travel and entry procedures at the departure airport, sparing pilgrims the inconvenience of long waiting times upon arrival at Jeddah or Madinah airports.
General context and historical background of the initiative
The “Makkah Route” initiative was first launched in 2017 (1438 AH) as a pilot program before gradually expanding to include several countries with high pilgrim populations. The initiative aims to fundamentally transform the pilgrim experience, where pilgrims are received in dedicated terminals at their home airports. A fully integrated Saudi team from various sectors handles visa issuance, health verification, biometric registration (fingerprinting), and passport procedures. Pilgrims' luggage is also coded and sorted for direct transport to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah without the need to collect it at the airport.
The importance of the initiative and its expected impact
At the local level, the initiative significantly reduces pressure and congestion at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah during the Hajj season, thereby increasing operational efficiency and improving the quality of services provided. Internationally, the Makkah Route initiative reflects the Kingdom's modern image and its unwavering commitment to serving pilgrims and employing the latest technologies to ensure their comfort and safety. The initiative also strengthens bilateral relations with beneficiary countries, including Turkey, by offering exceptional facilities to their citizens.
Integrated implementation and joint efforts
Now in its eighth year, the initiative is being implemented through collaboration and coordination between the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Health, Hajj and Umrah, and Media, along with the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), and the Guests of God Service Program. This integrated approach ensures the smooth and efficient flow of procedures. Upon arrival in the Kingdom, pilgrims are transferred directly to dedicated buses that transport them to their accommodations, while the relevant authorities handle the delivery of their luggage. Since its inception, more than 1.2 million pilgrims have benefited from the initiative's services, underscoring its significant success and tangible impact on facilitating the pilgrimage of a lifetime for millions of Muslims worldwide.
