Hajj without a bag, 2026: approximately 1.2 million bags across 7 airports

Context

For the 2026 season Saudia confirmed HalaBag as the technology integrated across its 145-destination network for Hajj Without Luggage, covering more than 400,000 pilgrims, and flynas adopted HalaBag technology for its Hajj and Umrah baggage services. The airline initiatives operate within the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's programme; HalaBag is the airlines' technical partner and does not operate the Ministry's systems.

Challenge

Pilgrim baggage is the most demanding baggage operation in the world: millions of bags over a few weeks, group movements, multiple airlines and airports, government stakeholders and thousands of hotels. Every hand-off between operator, handler, airline and provider had to be confirmed, and every bag had to reach the right hotel within the programme's service level.

Approach

1. 1

   One record per bag

   Bookings from airline and programme systems opened a case per bag, attached to the pilgrim, group, flights and hotel.

2. 2

   Governed collection and acceptance

   Collection at hotels, camps and city points was screened and accepted into the airline workflow within cut-offs, with custody confirmed at hand-off to the handler.

3. 3

   Allocation at peak

   On arrival, cases were allocated across integrated providers on capacity and measured performance, thousands per hour at peak.

4. 4

   Custody and proof

   Every hand-off carried time, location and evidence; hotel delivery was proven per bag.

5. 5

   Programme reporting

   Airlines, operators and the authority saw volumes, SLA status and exceptions in real time.