• Saudi Arabia has approved plans for a new international airport in Mecca, a move expected to significantly improve access to one of the world’s busiest religious destinations.
• The proposed airport will allow pilgrims to fly directly into Islam’s holiest city, which attracts more than one million international visitors annually for Hajj and Umrah.

Currently, Mecca does not have its own airport, with most travellers arriving via King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, located approximately 100 kilometres away, before continuing their journey by road. The development forms part of a broader infrastructure strategy that also includes a metro system aimed at improving mobility within the city and surrounding holy sites.

NEWS : Makkah is officially getting its own airport!

In a meeting with Harvard Business Review, Saleh Al-Rashid, CEO of the Royal Commission for the City of Makkah Al Mukarramah and the Holy Sites, confirmed the approval of the strategic and investment directions for the pic.twitter.com/FLm6Vb7zuK

— The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) April 1, 2026

Historically, Mecca’s mountainous terrain has posed challenges for aviation operations, including turbulence and limited visibility. However, recent advancements in technology and infrastructure planning appear to have addressed these concerns. Saudi authorities have also been exploring new mobility solutions, including trials of autonomous aerial taxis for transporting pilgrims and supporting emergency and medical logistics.

The airport project, confirmed by the Royal Commission for the City of Makkah and the Holy Sites, is expected to be developed in partnership with the private sector and designed to meet international standards.

In an interview with Harvard Business Review Arabia, Saleh Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites (RCMC), said that the “strategic, economic and investment directions for Mecca Airport have been approved”.

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