Makkah Approves First International Airport, Metro Plan Advances
Saudi Arabia has approved its first international airport for Makkah and advanced plans for a city metro, aiming to give pilgrims direct access and ease congestion under Vision 2030.
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Last updated: 15 Jun 2026, 1:33 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia has approved its first international airport for Makkah and advanced plans for a city metro, aiming to give pilgrims direct access and ease congestion under Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia has deployed an AI-powered, multilingual robot at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque to answer pilgrims' religious questions and provide instant translation.
The authority overseeing the Two Holy Mosques has opened five free luggage storage centers, four at the Grand Mosque and one at the Prophet's Mosque, accepting items up to 7 kilograms for up to four hours.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has warned pilgrims not to share razors or blades during the head-shaving rite of tahallul, cautioning that reused tools can transmit hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
Saudi Arabia has begun its annual replacement of the Holy Kaaba's Kiswa, with 154 craftsmen installing a new 1,415kg covering of 47 silk panels embroidered with 68 Quranic verses in gold-plated thread.
A wooden platform once placed beside the Black Stone, used by a soldier to direct Tawaf, is now on display at the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques' Architecture in Makkah.
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Interior Ministry penalizes 7 persons for transporting 13 pilgrims to Makkah illegally Saudi Gazette
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