Makkah is set to undergo major transport and infrastructure upgrades, with plans underway to build a new airport and metro system aimed at improving facilities for millions of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
According to Saleh Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, approval has been granted for strategic and economic investment plans to develop Makkah Airport to global standards, significantly enhancing its capacity to serve visitors.
In an interview with Harvard Business Review, Al-Rasheed said the Commission will collaborate with the private sector to create viable investment models, ensuring that the development does not impact the feasibility of airports in nearby cities.
He further revealed that feasibility studies and initial designs for the Makkah Metro project have already been completed, marking a major step forward in improving urban mobility.
Beyond transportation, authorities are focusing on enhancing overall services and living standards through projects in housing, infrastructure, and public services, while aligning development with the needs of residents and pilgrims. A key target includes increasing satisfaction levels among residents and visitors to 90.5% by 2025.
As part of innovation efforts, the “Smart Makkah” initiative will leverage artificial intelligence to monitor and manage crowd movement in and around the Masjid al-Haram. The system includes predictive crowd flow management at the Jamarat Bridge and central areas, along with aerial imaging integrated with the “Balady” app to enhance the pilgrim experience.
Transport services are also being upgraded with improvements in bus, taxi, and guided transport systems. A new “Makkah Taxi” service has been introduced, featuring modern vehicles equipped with tracking systems, electronic payments, and environmentally friendly electric and hybrid models.
The city’s bus network currently includes 400 buses operating on 12 routes, covering most neighborhoods with 430 stops and four main stations in central areas. Since its launch in February 2022, the service has recorded over 185 million passengers and more than 3.8 million trips.
On the infrastructure front, key sections of the first, second, and third ring roads have been completed and connected to major routes leading to the Grand Mosque and holy sites, including King Abdulaziz Road and Ibrahim Al-Khalil Road, along with upgraded city entrances.
Additional developments include expanded service facilities around the Grand Mosque, such as 60 maintenance buildings and 32 electric escalators to improve operational efficiency and sustainability during Hajj.
Projects are also underway to upgrade eight sites in Arafat covering approximately 190,000 square meters, construct two-story tents over 33,000 square meters, develop 10 residential towers accommodating up to 27,000 pilgrims, and build a 200-bed emergency hospital in Mina.
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