Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 13 Sep 2026, 11:08 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia restricted entry to Makkah from 13 April 2026 to Hajj permit holders only and suspended Umrah permits from 18 April to 31 May 2026 as the Kingdom prepares for the Hajj pilgrimage beginning around 25 May.
Saudia has launched Hajj 2026 operations with 160 aircraft and over one million seats spanning 145 global destinations, as part of Saudi Arabia's total air transport plan of 3.1 million seats across 12,000 flights.
Saudi Arabia has imposed fines of up to SAR 100,000 for facilitating unauthorised Hajj and up to SAR 20,000 for pilgrims performing Hajj without a permit, alongside 10-year re-entry bans for violators.
Gateway Air ready to airlift hajj pilgrims — Abiodun Daily Post Nigeria
Third Group of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Umrah Program Departs Makkah spa.gov.sa
Wadi Al-Usaylah's Ancient Inscriptions, Historic Wells Trace Early Hajj Routes Near Makkah spa.gov.sa
Guests of Umrah program visit cultural district in Makkah arabnews.com
Hajj registration ends 24 Sept; Bangladesh has 78,500 pilgrim quota for 2027 Prothom Alo English
Makkah Region Deputy Governor Inspects Hajj and Umrah Halls Complex at King Abdulaziz International Airport وكالة الأنباء السعودية