Target of 2.5m airline seats for Umrah pilgrims by end 2025
MADINAH: Saudi Arabia's Air Connectivity Program CEO Majid Khan has announced that more than 700,000 seats have been earmarked to support Umrah and visitor traffic through the first quarter of 2025.
Speaking at the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah, Khan said the goal is to reach 2.5 million seats by the end of 2025, focusing on improved global air connectivity to the city.
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.
Khan said the program targets key markets including Europe, the Gulf, 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, he added.
Khan said that new airlines such as Eurowings have also been introduced, alongside recent routes from Berlin and Cologne to Jeddah.
French airline Transavia will soon launch flights from Paris and Lyon to Jeddah. And starting from August, a daily flight from London's Gatwick to Madinah will add around 180,000 seats, said Khan.
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.
Held at the King Salman International Convention Center until April 16, the forum hosted more than 150 exhibitors from more than 100 countries.
It featured more than 50 workshops and sessions led by 100 speakers, alongside multiple agreements to enhance the Umrah and visitor experience.
Workshops focused on accommodation, technology, and artificial intelligence applications, as well as the role of social media, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Hajj and Umrah services.
Topics included hospitality, marketing, and Madinah's rich Islamic and historical heritage, the SPA reported.
An interactive exhibition highlighted key government initiatives to modernize infrastructure, transport and hospitality in Makkah and Madinah, aimed at improving the pilgrimage experience.
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