Travel demand across Saudi Arabia has reached remarkable levels during Ramadan 2026, with airlines expanding capacity and accommodation searches in Makkah and Madinah climbing sharply compared to last year. The surge, driven by a combination of Umrah pilgrimages and family travel, has prompted carriers to add millions of additional seats to meet the rising tide of passengers heading to the Kingdom.
Airlines Expand Capacity to Meet Unprecedented Demand
Flynas, Saudi Arabia’s leading low-cost carrier, announced it has made more than 1.7 million seats available for the Ramadan and Umrah season, marking a 20 percent increase in capacity compared to the same period last year. The expansion covers both domestic and international routes across the airline’s network, reflecting the extraordinary demand for flights to the holy cities and other destinations within the Kingdom.
The move is part of a broader trend across the aviation sector. Google search data from Saudi Arabia shows that airline-related queries dominated trending topics on March 5, with searches for Saudi Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Oman Air, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Philippine Airlines all spiking simultaneously. The pattern suggests travelers from across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond are actively booking flights to the Kingdom during the peak of the holy month.
Accommodation Searches in Makkah and Madinah Climb Sharply
According to data from Wego, a leading travel marketplace in the Middle East, accommodation searches for Makkah have risen by more than 20 percent, while Madinah has seen a 25 percent increase compared to Ramadan 2025. The demand is concentrated in the second half of the holy month, when pilgrims traditionally intensify their worship and families gather for the final days leading up to Eid Al Fitr.
Hotels near the Grand Mosque in Makkah remain the most sought-after, with average nightly rates around SAR 1,500. The preference for proximity to the Haram reflects the priorities of Umrah pilgrims, who value easy access to religious services during the blessed month. Travel data also shows a clear trend toward earlier booking, with many travelers securing flights and accommodations well in advance to avoid the last-minute rush typical of peak Ramadan travel periods.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Role as a Global Travel Hub
The Ramadan travel surge aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions under Vision 2030 to position itself as a leading global destination for religious and cultural tourism. The Kingdom has invested heavily in expanding its airport infrastructure, hospitality capacity, and digital travel services to accommodate the growing number of visitors each year.
With Eid Al Fitr expected around March 19 or 20, the final two weeks of Ramadan are set to bring even higher volumes of travelers to the Kingdom. The combination of expanded airline capacity, improved digital booking platforms, and the enduring spiritual draw of Makkah and Madinah ensures that Saudi Arabia remains at the heart of the world’s most significant annual travel movement.
