Route to Makkah operations to begin from Lahore Airport

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Apr, 2026) Preparations for the inaugural launch of Route to Makkah operations at the Allama Iqbal International Airport were reviewed on Thursday during a high-level coordination meeting attended by senior Pakistani and Saudi officials.

The session brought together Fuwaz Saud Al Shafiri, Saudi Director Operations Hajj, and the Secretary of the Saudi Embassy, who met with Airport Manager Erfan Khan and senior representatives from the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), Airport Security Force, Customs, Federal Investigation Agency, Anti-Narcotics Force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other agencies.

Officials underscored the need for strengthened inter-agency coordination to ensure seamless and efficient processing for Hajj pilgrims under the 'Route to Makkah' initiative.

They reiterated their commitment to providing maximum facilitation to passengers traveling from Lahore for this year’s pilgrimage.

Key discussions focused on infrastructure readiness, including the establishment of dedicated counters and holding areas for 'Route to Makkah' passengers, enhanced seating capacity, improved queue management, and prominent signage throughout the terminal. Special emphasis was placed on ensuring smooth passenger flow, minimizing congestion, and boosting overall operational efficiency.

The meeting concluded with a unified resolve to deliver a smooth, organized, and passenger-friendly launch of the service, marking a significant milestone as Lahore joins other cities benefiting from the pre-departure immigration and facilitation process for Hajj pilgrims.