Saudi Arabia has accelerated preparations for upcoming Hajj seasons with a major expansion and operational upgrade at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, reinforcing the kingdom’s push to improve the pilgrimage experience for millions of visitors.

The expansion significantly increases passenger handling capacity, modernises arrival and departure facilities, and introduces faster processing systems designed specifically for large-scale religious travel.

Central to the upgrade is the continued development of the Hajj and Umrah Terminal complex, alongside improvements to runways, baggage handling, transport links, and digital border procedures.

Saudi authorities say the measures will sharply reduce waiting times, ease congestion during peak arrival periods, and enhance safety and comfort for pilgrims arriving from across the world.

The airport expansion forms part of a broader national strategy to support religious tourism under Vision twenty thirty, which aims to welcome tens of millions of pilgrims annually while maintaining high operational standards.

Officials have highlighted closer coordination between aviation authorities, immigration services, health agencies, and transport operators to ensure seamless movement from arrival to onward travel to Mecca and Medina.

For pilgrims and tour operators, the upgrades mean earlier flight scheduling flexibility, smoother customs clearance, and more reliable ground transport connections.

The accelerated expansion underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernising its infrastructure in line with its role as custodian of Islam’s holiest sites and reflects growing international confidence in the kingdom’s capacity to manage large-scale global travel.