Houthi Attacks in Saudi Arabia: UAE Umrah Bookings Drop 50%
UAE travel operators have reported a significant decline in new Umrah enquiries and bookings following recent attacks on Saudi airports. According to travel agencies, new bookings have dropped by around 50 per cent as residents wait for greater clarity about the security situation.
Despite the uncertainty, travellers who had already booked their Umrah packages are largely continuing with their plans. Operators said they had not received cancellations from their existing customers, although demand for new flight and bus packages has weakened.
Passengers Redirected to Jeddah and Madinah
Umrah passengers affected by cancelled flights to Riyadh are being transferred to alternative destinations, including Jeddah and Madinah. Both cities serve as important gateways for pilgrims travelling to Makkah.
Shihab Perwad of Rehan Al Jazeera Tours and Travels said existing customers had not cancelled their trips, but new enquiries and bookings had fallen by approximately 50 per cent. The decline has affected both bus travel and flight reservations.
Perwad added that this period normally marks the beginning of a busy Umrah season, with demand expected to increase further in December. However, many residents are delaying their decisions until the situation becomes clearer.
Travel Packages and Alternative Routes
Jaseem of Al Shammar Haj and Umrah Service said his company's scheduled groups were continuing as planned. Passengers whose flights to Riyadh were cancelled were being rebooked on flights to Jeddah or Madinah.
According to the travel operator, bus packages cost around Dh1,100 and take approximately 10 days, while flight packages start at around Dh2,700. Some residents are also considering road travel as an alternative.
Residents Consider Postponing Umrah
Some UAE residents have decided to postpone their journeys because of concerns about the ongoing situation.
Dubai resident Meeran said he had planned to travel to Makkah for Umrah but preferred to wait until he felt more comfortable travelling.
Fazil Akbar, a resident of Garhoud, said his family had been planning their Umrah journey for two years. They are now considering delaying the trip until conditions improve and travel arrangements become clearer.
Akbar said his family might consider travelling by car in a small group if road conditions were safe and travel requirements were confirmed.
The developments highlight how regional security concerns can affect religious travel plans, even when alternative flight routes and bus services remain available.
Travellers should check the latest official travel advisories, airline updates and visa requirements before confirming or changing their Umrah arrangements.
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