Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Saleh Al Jasser, said that during this year’s Hajj season, pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will have a great opportunity to use flying taxis and drones.
Speaking at a press conference after welcoming the first group of foreign pilgrims at Medina’s Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Al Jasser said modern modes of transportation, including taxi services, aim to improve the overall hajj experience.
Al Jasser said several companies specializing in the transportation sector are competing to provide the best vehicles in the coming years. He said it is important to understand this technology and create a favorable environment for its operation during the Hajj season.
Noting that Saudi Arabia is trying to be at the forefront of using such services, Al Jasser said that the Hajj season will witness the largest deployment of this advanced mode of transportation.
Last year, Al Jasser announced plans to test flying taxis in the coming Hajj season. Saudi Arabian Airlines, also known as Saudia, announced plans to operate flying taxis to transport pilgrims between Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and hotels in Mecca. The airline plans to purchase around 100 aircraft to facilitate this service.
In January, Abdullah Al Shahrani, Saudi Arabia’s director of corporate communications and spokesman, announced plans to introduce air taxis as a new mode of transportation during the Hajj season. The airline has signed a contract to buy 100 Lilium, a German electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to fly between Jeddah Airport and Makkah hotels near the Grand Mosque.
Al Shahrani said the Lilium aircraft is fully electric and environmentally friendly. After making the necessary arrangements, this aircraft will transport pilgrims from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, near the Grand Mosque of Mecca, to pilgrims during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
