Saudi Customs Chief Inspects Jeddah Airport Ahead of 2026 Hajj
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), Eng. Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi, has inspected facilities at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, as part of intensified oversight of the 2026 Hajj season operational framework.
The visit formed part of the government’s push to ensure operational readiness, service efficiency, and seamless pilgrim movement across entry points during the 2026 Hajj season.
During the inspection tour, Eng. Abanmi reviewed customs procedures deployed at the airport, with a clear focus on balancing facilitation and security.
He assessed operational workflows designed to accelerate passenger clearance processes while maintaining strict regulatory compliance and border control standards.
A key highlight of the inspection was the Makkah Route Initiative, a strategic facilitation program that enables pilgrims from selected countries to complete customs, immigration, and health procedures at departure airports before travelling to the Kingdom.
The Governor inspected dedicated terminals for the initiative, emphasizing its role in significantly reducing processing time and improving arrival efficiency in Saudi Arabia.
The inspection also covered the deployment of advanced security and digital technologies used in baggage handling and passenger processing.
These systems, according to the Authority’s operational framework, are intended to enhance throughput capacity, reduce congestion, and strengthen risk detection capabilities without disrupting pilgrim flow.
Eng. Abanmi further stressed the need for integrated inter-agency coordination, describing it as a critical success factor for Hajj operations.
He called for sustained alignment among all relevant government entities to ensure a unified service delivery ecosystem across airports, seaports, and land border crossings.
Beyond airport operations, the Governor extended his oversight to land entry points, including the Al-Haditha and Jadidat Arar crossings, as part of a nationwide readiness audit aimed at ensuring that all strategic ports are fully prepared for the expected influx of pilgrims.
The 2026 Hajj season is projected to record significant international air traffic, with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (General Authority of Civil Aviation) allocating more than 3.1 million seats and scheduling over 12,000 flights to support global pilgrimage operations.
