Morocco's Makkah Route Program Set to Launch at Rabat-Salé Airport
In a significant move aimed at enhancing the pilgrimage experience for Moroccan Muslims, the Moroccan government is set to officially launch the "Makkah Route" program at Rabat-Salé Airport on May 4. This initiative, which is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, allows Hajj pilgrims to complete essential travel requirements such as visa processing, health checks, and customs clearance right at their departure airport, streamlining the journey to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
The launch will be officiated by Ahmed Toufiq, Morocco's Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, alongside Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Morocco, Sami bin Abdullah Al-Saleh. This expansion follows the successful implementation of the program at Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport, where it has already facilitated over 17,000 Moroccan pilgrims this season alone. This initiative is projected to serve half of Morocco's national Hajj quota of 34,000, with the inaugural flight from Casablanca scheduled shortly after the launch on May 7.
Streamlined Travel and Enhanced Services for Pilgrims
Launched in 2018, the Makkah Route initiative is designed to ease the pilgrimage process by allowing travelers to bypass tedious immigration procedures upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. Instead, they are directly escorted to their accommodations via dedicated pathways, eliminating long waits at immigration counters. Additionally, the program includes an integrated baggage management system, where luggage is coded and sorted to ensure direct delivery to pilgrims' residences, thus removing the burden of handling baggage during their travels.
Since its introduction, the program has benefitted approximately 54,000 Moroccan pilgrims, including nearly 11,000 in the last season alone. The global reach of the Makkah Route initiative has also expanded, positively impacting over 1.25 million pilgrims from various countries, with new participants including Senegal and Brunei this year. In Morocco, of the 34,000 pilgrims allocated for the Hajj season, 22,200 are organized through official channels while 11,800 will utilize licensed travel agencies, with the official pilgrimage cost set at MAD 63,121 ($6,312), a decrease from the previous year’s rates. Preparations are underway involving extensive training for supervisory staff and providing digital cards to pilgrims that contain vital information throughout their pilgrimage journey.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
