How Saudi Arabia is Using Technology to Improve 2026 Hajj Experience

Saudi Arabian authorities have introduced drones and artificial intelligence-powered systems to support medical, security and logistics operations during the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, as hundreds of thousands of worshippers arrive in the kingdom amid intense summer heat.

The annual pilgrimage began earlier this week in Saudi Arabia, with officials expecting about 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world to participate in 2026 Hajj rites in Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on Monday that it had granted its first operational permit for drone services during 2026 Hajj to Terra Drone Arabia. The drones will deliver essential supplies such as water and medicine to pilgrims.

According to the aviation authority, the deployment builds on operational trials conducted during previous Hajj seasons involving drones for medical and logistical support.

Officials said the operations are being carried out under “the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational efficiency”.

Authorities said the technology could drastically reduce delivery times for emergency supplies, cutting transport periods from more than an hour to only a few minutes.

Saudi officials are also deploying drones, fixed-wing aircraft, AI-powered monitoring systems and advanced surveillance technologies to manage crowds and improve safety during the pilgrimage.

The systems will help security agencies monitor congestion around holy sites, detect irregularities and prevent unauthorised entry into pilgrimage zones. Officials said the technology would allow faster crowd management interventions and help reduce the risk of dangerous overcrowding incidents.

The move forms part of a broader effort by the Saudi government to modernise Hajj management through artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure following years of deadly incidents linked to stampedes, overcrowding and extreme heat during the pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has also launched a new “smart accommodation” service aimed at improving hospitality services for pilgrims. The system uses AI and Internet of Things technologies to monitor arrivals, assess accommodation conditions and identify areas requiring service improvements.

More than 111,000 personnel have reportedly been deployed to assist pilgrims during this year’s Hajj, including teams distributing water and cooling equipment to help worshippers cope with soaring temperatures.

Authorities said a central Monitoring and Control Center is tracking more than 95 operational indicators in coordination with 42 government agencies overseeing the pilgrimage.

This year’s Hajj comes amid extreme weather conditions across the kingdom, with temperatures in Mecca expected to reach between 42 and 47 degrees Celsius.

The pilgrimage also begins against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including uncertainty surrounding the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran and concerns over stability in the Strait of Hormuz.

Hajj remains one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, with attendance in some years reaching up to 2.5 million pilgrims.