Uzbekistan Airways Suspends Umrah Pilgrimage Flights to Saudi Arabia

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan Airways has announced a temporary suspension of all flights transporting pilgrims to Saudi Arabia under the Umrah program, effective until further notice from the nation’s aviation authorities. The suspension specifically impacts all scheduled services on the Tashkent–Jeddah–Tashkent route.

An official statement from the carrier clarified that the decision follows a directive from the aviation authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The mandate requires all domestic airlines to halt the transport of Uzbek pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the Umrah program until additional instructions are issued.

In coordination with this suspension, Uzbekistan Airways will begin operating repatriation flights on the Jeddah–Tashkent route starting from 2 March 2026. These flights are designated to bring back Uzbek citizens who have already arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via the airline’s Umrah services.

The airline emphasized that this measure was taken to ensure the safety and orderly return of citizens to Uzbekistan.