Saudia Hajj Services: Saudia Transforms Hajj Experience with Innovative Technologies and Major Investments, ET TravelWorld
By ,
ETTravelWorld
Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis.
Download ETTravelWorld App Get Realtime updates
Save your favourite articles
Scan to download App
Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, has announced a strategic shift in its approach to Hajj 2025, offering a holistic pilgrimage experience that goes beyond air travel. With over one million seats and 158 aircraft allocated, the carrier will operate across 100 destinations, expecting to claim up to 35 per cent of the Hajj market share this season.The airline is now taking a lead role in delivering ground services, accommodation, and hospitality for pilgrims. Over 11,000 staff and technicians will be deployed during the 74-day operational window, with services tailored to enhance comfort, accessibility, and efficiency. Saudia has also launched a dedicated Hajj and Umrah platform to streamline updates and service access for pilgrims worldwide.Director General of Saudia, Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, stated, 'Hajj remains one of our top national priorities. This year, we extend beyond flight operations to become a direct service provider to pilgrims. Through this expansion, we aim to deliver a holistic experience that meets the highest standards of care and hospitality.'A SAR 100 million investment across Makkah, Madinah, and key sites will fund lounges, rest areas, and multilingual support centres modelled on Saudia's AlFursan lounges. The airline also introduced 'The Coolest Ihram ' — a high-tech pilgrimage garment designed in partnership with Landor and brrr. It features rapid-cooling technology, UV protection, and meets Islamic dress requirements.Onboard, pilgrims will benefit from accessible transport, curated meals, prayer announcements, and medical services, including oxygen and stretcher support. With these comprehensive enhancements, Saudia is positioning itself as a leader in redefining the spiritual travel experience.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
J&K set to create ripples with ‘hydropower tourism'
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah (Pic credit: PTI) SRINAGAR: J&K's Omar-Abdullah-led government has started dipping its toes in 'hydropower tourism' with plans to allow hydel electricity generators to set up on-site tourism facilities as an incentive to attract more investors into such projects. J&K's Draft Hydro Power Policy, 2025, proposes tourism infrastructure in hydel projects up to 25MW. A senior official said the infrastructure could include hotels, parks, guesthouses, and water sports facilities The draft policy, reviewed earlier this week by chief minister Omar, will soon be released for public feedback. The policy assumes significance after the Centre put Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan in abeyance following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Omar's National Conference (NC) has long opposed IWT, calling it detrimental to J&K's interests and arguing that it ceded control of river waters to Pakistan without consulting the region. Such tourism facilities will be allowed to be set up only after hydel projects up to 25MW go on stream. 'The policy clearly says after the main hydropower project is completed and begins operating, they can apply to build tourism infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo The aim is to increase income and support local economic growth,' the official said. The incentive has been limited for projects up to 25 MW as they typically come up on small streams and offer good tourism potential, while larger hydel plants are located on major rivers with little scope for ancillary amenities, the official explained. J&K has an estimated hydropower potential of over 20,000MW but less than 15% is harnessed. Govt expects good response to the new policy. The official cited Ranjit Sagar Dam (also known as Thein Dam) at Pathankot in neighbouring Punjab as an example, pointing out that the area, with lush gardens and scenic surroundings, had turned into a popular picnic destination. 'J&K's upcoming hydropower projects offer similar tourism potential,' the official said. While hydropower developers in J&K will be required to provide 12% of the generated electricity free to the Union territory under the new policy, the obligation will remain suspended during the initial years to ease the burden on developers. Developers will be allowed to retain all tourism revenue from the start, without no sharing with govt. However, after 40 years, developers must hand over the 'hydel project' and 'all related tourism infrastructure in good operating condition' to govt. The draft policy categorises projects into two segments, up to 25MW, and between 25MW and 100 MW. It proposes waiver of water usage charges for all projects, classifying them as 'non-consumptive users'. Developers will also benefit from carbon credit incentives and receive 100% exemption on registration fees and stamp duty on land purchases, leases, or mortgages related to the projects.
India.com
5 hours ago
- India.com
Hajj Yatra: Saudi government makes big change in Hajj pilgrimage rules, married couple will not be allowed to....
Hajj- File image Hajj pilgrimage 2026: In a significant update for Hajj pilgrims, the Saudi Arabia government has announced new rules for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. Under the recently announced 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, husbands and wives will no longer be allowed to stay in the same room. As per the rule, Male and female pilgrims will be accommodated separately, and men will not be permitted to enter women's rooms during the pilgrimage. Separating females and males of the family, these new regulations mark a major change in accommodation policy for Hajj. Earlier, the Haj Committee of India used to arrange shared rooms in rented hotels for pilgrims from the same state, often accommodating husbands and wives together depending on room size and availability. Notably, Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage that is required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime, being one of the five pillars of Islam. Delhi Hajj Committee begin registration for Hajj 2026 In another important update for the Hajj pilgrims, Kausan Jahan, Chairperson of the Delhi Hajj Committee informed that registrations for Hajj 2026 commenced on July 7 and will conclude on July 31. As per the rules of the committee, the passports of the applicants should be valid until December 2026. Notably, as per the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the committee is committed to providing the best facilities to the Hajj pilgrims. 'Registration for Haj 2026 has begun. It will go on from 7 July to 31 July… The passports of applicants should be valid till 31 December 2026… The committee, as per the instructions of PM Narendra Modi, is committed to providing the best facilities to Haj pilgrims', Kausar Jahan told ANI. As per a report by ANI news agency, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju announced that the Union Government will begin accepting applications for the Haj pilgrimage in 2026 within a week, urging pilgrims to ensure timely submissions of documents to avoid future complications ahead of the pilgrimage. (With inputs from agencies)
United News of India
2 days ago
- United News of India
VA TECH WABAG bags Rs 2,332 cr Saudi order for desal plant
Chennai, July 24 (UNI) City based pure-play water technology company VA TECH WABAG today announced bagging of a sea water reverse osmosis desalination plant order in Saudi Arabia. According to WABAG, the order valued at about USD 272 million (SAR 1,019 million / Rs 2,332 crore) is for 300 million litres per day (MLD) desalination plant at Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The order is from the Saudi Water Authority (SWA). WABAG said the order scope encompasses design, engineering, supply, construction, and commissioning of a 300 MLD desalination plant, to be developed on a greenfield site located along the west coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Indian multinational said in a statement. The company said it has received the Letter of Award, and the contracting formalities will commence now. Post signing of the contract, the effective date for commencement of execution will be announced. The order has to be executed in 30 months from the effective date, which will be announced after signing of the contract. Commenting on this success, Rohan Mittal, Head of Strategy and Business Growth for GCC, said, 'We are immensely proud to have emerged successful in this prestigious project not just once, but twice. This repeat success underscores the strength of our technical competence, competitiveness and our deep-rooted capabilities in executing large and complex desalination projects. This prestigious project, aligns with and contributes to the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and reinforces WABAG's global leadership in the desalination sector.' UNI VJ ARN
