Flight Operations to Jeddah and Madinah for Hajj

The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the most operationally demanding periods in the aviation calendar. The influx of traffic at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah during the Hajj period places extraordinary pressure on airport infrastructure, slot availability, and ground handling resources. Parking will be limited during the Hajj period, and operators are advised to reserve handling as early as possible.

For operators planning Jeddah Airport Hajj operations, early and thorough preparation is not optional. It is the only reliable path to a compliant, on-schedule mission. Delays may also affect operations at OERK/Riyadh and OEDF/Dammam, where additional restrictions are expected in the surrounding weeks. Hajj flight planning demands an understanding of both the specific airport requirements and the broader Saudi aviation regulatory environment that governs operations during this exceptionally high-traffic season.

King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah

IATA: JED

ICAO: OEJN

Elevation: 48 ft

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is the primary gateway for Hajj pilgrims arriving by air. During the Hajj season, the airport operates at significantly higher volumes than at any other time of year. Slot management is strict, ground handling resources are stretched, and parking availability becomes a critical operational consideration that must be addressed well before the aircraft departs for Saudi Arabia.

Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah

Madinah is the second key airport for hajj flight operations, serving pilgrims traveling to the holy city before or after Mecca. Slot allocation requests at Madinah must be submitted to the airport authority by sending a standard SCR message to SITA address: MEDPAXH. Alternatively, air carriers may send their requests by email to medslotteam@tibahairports.com or by telephone on +966-14-8138040.

Slot Coordination: Jeddah

Air carrier schedules for Jeddah must be submitted to Airport Coordination Australia (ACA) at slots@airportcoordination.org in Excel format. The submission must include the date, flight number, type of aircraft, seating capacity, call sign, and aircraft registration in both phases for each flight. A separate operation agreement with GACA must be signed prior to slot requests being submitted.

For air carriers operating as part of the Kingdom HAJ charter operation, requests must be submitted through the authorized agent. Operators planning Hajj flight operations to Jeddah and Madinah who do not follow the correct slot submission process risk losing their allocated windows during a period of peak demand.

Slot Coordination: Madinah

To operate in Madinah, slot allocation requests must be submitted to the airport authority by sending a standard SCR message to SITA address: MEDPAXH. Alternatively, air carriers may send their requests by email to medslotteam@tibahairports.com or contact the slot coordination team by telephone on +966-14-8138040.

Pilgrimage Carriage Rules

Carriage of pilgrims will be shared equally on a 50/50 basis between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and those countries for state pilgrims, in accordance with the specific Hajj quota in the bilateral agreements. These rules apply to all requests, whether the flight is operated on owned or leased aircraft. The quota-sharing arrangement is a fundamental parameter of hajj flight planning that operators must understand before submitting schedules or permit requests.

Leased Aircraft Requirements

Air carriers conducting an operation with a leased aircraft must obtain the required technical permits from GACA. A copy of the aircraft lease agreement must be submitted as part of the permit application. Failure to submit the lease documentation correctly will delay permit approval, which during the Hajj season carries significant consequences given the compressed timeline and limited slot availability.

For air carriers operating at the Kingdom HAJ charter operation, all requests must be submitted through the authorized agent, regardless of whether the aircraft is owned or leased. Operators relying on aviation trip support services or emergency trip support services for Hajj operations should confirm that all lease documentation is prepared and ready for submission at the point of permit application.

Health and Medical Requirements

Air carriers must comply with the Ministry of Health regulations and ensure medical airplane clearances and vaccinations against infectious diseases and epidemics are in place. The specific health requirements applicable to a given Hajj season should be confirmed with the relevant authorities and with your aviation trip support services provider in advance of mission planning, as these requirements can vary from year to year.

Private Aviation Operations at Jeddah and Madinah

Private aviation operations looking to obtain landing permits at Jeddah and Madinah must meet specific criteria. Operators planning hajj flight planning for private or business aviation missions during the Hajj period should engage their international trip support company as early as possible to initiate the permit process, given that standard lead times may be extended during peak demand. Early coordination with ground handlers at both airports is also essential, as handling capacity is limited during the Hajj season and reservation of services well in advance is the most reliable means of securing preferred arrangements.

Wider Network Impact

Additional restrictions are expected in the weeks surrounding the Hajj period, and delays may affect operations at OERK/Riyadh and OEDF/Dammam as well. Operators whose itineraries involve these airports during the Hajj season should factor potential delays and capacity constraints into their planning and should confirm current conditions with their urgent aviation trip support services provider before finalizing schedules.

Operations Support

Planning Hajj flight operations to Jeddah or Madinah? UAS International Trip Support manages your full mission coordination across Saudi Arabia, from slot requests and permits to ground handling and passenger logistics. Contact UAS for expert Hajj operations support.