Saudi Arabia denies Iran pilgrims use of Taif airport

Saudi Arabia did not agree to Iranian pilgrims using Taif Airport for their return flights this Hajj season, according to Iranian Haj pilgrims who spoke to local media. Taif Airport is closer to Mecca and could have shortened the land route for pilgrims, but the Saudi authorities denied the request.

As a result, all return flights for Iranian pilgrims will operate from Jeddah Airport. An average of 12 flights per day will carry pilgrims back to Iran. However, due to the dispatch of the last groups of pilgrims in the days leading up to Hajj, only one flight will depart from Medina to Tehran on the final day of the pilgrims' return, June 14.

A commentator familiar with Hajj pilgrim affairs told Iranian media that Saudi officials did not agree to the use of Taif airport, possibly because it is close to military centers in Saudi Arabia. The report by Mehr News Agency added that the decision has caused inconvenience for pilgrims, as Taif airport is more convenient for those heading to Mecca.