Hajj: S/Arabia plans new airport in Makkah

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced plans to construct a new airport in Makkah as part of broader transport upgrades aimed at improving the pilgrim experience. According to a report by Saudi Gazette, the initiative—alongside a proposed metro system—forms part of a comprehensive infrastructure transformation. The CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City […]

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced plans to construct a new airport in Makkah as part of broader transport upgrades aimed at improving the pilgrim experience.

According to a report by Saudi Gazette, the initiative—alongside a proposed metro system—forms part of a comprehensive infrastructure transformation.

The CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, Saleh Al-Rasheed, disclosed in an interview with Harvard Business Review that approval has been secured for strategic and economic investments to develop the Makkah airport to global standards, capable of serving millions of visitors.

He said the Commission would collaborate with the private sector to design viable investment models without undermining the feasibility of airports in nearby cities.

Al-Rasheed also confirmed that feasibility studies and preliminary designs for the Makkah Metro have been completed.

Beyond transport, he highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance services for residents and pilgrims through housing, infrastructure, and public service projects aligned with community needs.

He noted a target of raising satisfaction levels among residents and visitors to 90.5 percent.

Key initiatives include the “Smart Makkah” programme, which uses artificial intelligence to monitor crowd movement at the Grand Mosque and surrounding areas, including predictive systems at the Jamarat Bridge.

Transport improvements feature upgraded bus, taxi, and guided systems, including the launch of “Makkah Taxi” with modern, trackable, and eco-friendly vehicles.

Since its launch in 2022, the Makkah bus network has served over 185 million passengers.

The developments align with Saudi Arabia’s long-term vision to enhance the Hajj and Umrah experience globally.