Hajj flights to begin from April 18

Hajj flights for this year will begin from April 18, according to a new directive issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which has instructed Hajj agencies and airlines carrying pilgrims to strictly follow Saudi government rules and the Hajj Package and Guidelines, 2026.

The ministry sent letters on Sunday, January 11, to Hajj agency owners and three airlines operating Hajj flights.

The letter said that pre-Hajj flights for pilgrims of Hijri 1447, 2026, will start from April 18. Under Saudi government instructions, pilgrims belonging to the same service company must be flown to Saudi Arabia on the same flight.

It also said that under the Hajj Package and Guidelines, 2026, at least 20 percent of each agency’s pilgrims must be sent during the middle phase of pre-Hajj flights, while 30 to 50 percent of the remaining pilgrims must be sent during the first and last phases.

The ministry made it clear that no agency will be allowed to issue less than 30 percent or more than 50 percent of tickets in the first or last phase of pre-Hajj flights.

All concerned have been asked to take necessary measures to manage flights and issue tickets in line with the prescribed directives.