Hajj, the largest annual religious pilgrimage held in the holy city of Mecca, sees millions of Muslims visiting each year to fulfill their most significant Islamic obligations. To ensure the comfort and convenience of pilgrims, Saudi Arabia provides top-notch transportation and residential facilities. This year, Saudi officials plan to introduce flying taxis and drones to alleviate traffic congestion and ease travel fatigue for pilgrims traveling from Jeddah to the Holy Kaaba.
The use of robotic taxis and drones aims to address the challenges posed by the pilgrimage falling during the hottest months, particularly in commuting from hotels to sites like Mina and Jamarat. Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, highlighted the advanced nature of these transportation modes during a press conference, noting the competitive landscape among transport companies striving to offer the best means of travel in the years ahead.
In January, Abdullah Al-Shahrani, Director of Corporate Communications and Spokesman for the Saudia group, disclosed a government contract to acquire 100 Lilium jets, German electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, for pilgrim commute this season.
Minister Al-Jasser underscored the significance of these technologies as viable future transportation options, aligning with globalization trends and eco-friendly initiatives.
Saudi Arabia has previously introduced various facilities such as the Nusuk app, Biometric e-visas, pre-booking of visits at Riaz-ul-Jannah, and the Hajj portal to streamline the pilgrimage experience and minimize waiting times at spiritual sites. The overarching goal is to enhance the overall journey experience and make it seamless and convenient for pilgrims.
