Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, and international carriers cancel or reroute flights as Gulf airspace closures strand thousands of pilgrims in transit hubs.
Pakistan International Airlines flight from Jeddah to Lahore diverts to Dammam after technical alert triggers oxygen mask deployment, all 381 passengers evacuated safely.
Domestic pilgrims dominate Umrah numbers with over 4 million participants as foreign arrivals surpass 1.3 million, showing strong post-pandemic recovery in religious tourism.
Tragic collision between pilgrim bus and fuel tanker sparks deadly fire near Medina, leaving single survivor among group returning from Mecca after completing religious rituals.
An airline crew member receives widespread praise after video shows him patiently feeding an elderly passenger with Parkinson’s disease during a flight to Saudi Arabia.