Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — As many as 151,533 pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from the beneficiary countries of the Makkah Route initiative. Over 415 flights reached King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International in Madinah under the program by Monday.

The Ministry of the Interior continues implementing the Makkah Route initiative to provide services for pilgrims coming from seven countries — Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey and Côte d'Ivoire.

The initiative aims to complete the pilgrim procedures from their countries, starting with the issuance of electronic visas and collection of vital information, followed by streamlined passport procedures at the departure country's airport.

These steps are fulfilled after verifying whether the health requirements are met, in addition to coding and sorting luggage according to transportation and accommodation arrangements in Saudi Arabia.

Upon their arrival, pilgrims go directly to buses to take them to their places of residence in Makkah and Madinah, with designated tracks, while service agencies deliver their luggage to their places of residence.