Hajj 2025: 62 airlines operate 3,314 flights from 238 cities in 71 countries

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Transport and Logistics System has successfully facilitated the arrival of pilgrims from across the globe, with 62 air carriers operating 3,314 flights from 238 destinations in 71 countries from across the globe.

According to Saleh Al Zuwaid, the system’s official spokesperson, the reception and movement of pilgrims were managed with high operational efficiency, ensuring a smooth and orderly start to the pilgrimage.

He highlighted the performance of the Haramain High Speed Rail, which scheduled 4,700 trips throughout the season with a passenger capacity of two million — an increase of 400,000 seats over last year.

Notably, the frequency of service between King Abdulaziz International Airport and Mecca rose by 75%, averaging one trip per hour. As of Sunday, the train had transported 700,000 passengers and will continue serving pilgrims throughout the season.

Al Zuwaid said the Mashaer Train is expected to conduct over 2,000 trips during Hajj week, transporting more than two million passengers across the holy sites in just seven days.

In a move to mitigate extreme summer heat, the use of road cooling technology has expanded by 82% compared to last year. “The system has effectively reduced road surface temperatures by up to 12°C, particularly in areas surrounding Namirah Mosque and other high-traffic zones,” he added.

Meanwhile, Saad Al Shanbari, spokesperson for the Hajj Communications and Technology System, announced that 4G and 5G network coverage across Mecca, Medina, and the holy sites has reached 99%, driving a 10% year-on-year increase in internet speed to 264 Mbps. In Mecca and Medina alone, speeds reached 336 Mbps — a 19% rise over last year.

He also reported the installation of more than 10,000 Wi-Fi access points in partnership with telecom service providers. Additionally, the Communications and Space Technology Commission (CSTC), in collaboration with Aramco, successfully implemented an artificial intelligence-powered crowd management system using HAI surveillance cameras, marking a major step in tech-driven Hajj operations.