Umrah Bookings from UAE Drop 50% Amid Reported Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

DUBAI: New Umrah bookings from the United Arab Emirates have reportedly declined by around 50 per cent following recent missile and drone attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement on Saudi Arabia, as flight disruptions and security concerns prompt prospective pilgrims to reconsider their travel plans.

According to travel operators in the UAE, many people planning to perform Umrah are adopting a cautious approach and delaying new bookings until the regional situation becomes clearer. However, most pilgrims who had already booked their packages are continuing with their scheduled journeys.

According to a report by Khaleej Times, UAE-based travel companies have observed a significant decline in inquiries and new reservations for Umrah trips by both air and road.

Shahab Parwad, a representative of Rehan Al Jazeera Tours and Travels, said the company had not received cancellations from customers with existing bookings. However, new bookings and inquiries had fallen by approximately 50 per cent.

He said the decline had come at a time when the Umrah season was beginning to gather momentum, with the number of pilgrims traditionally expected to increase further in December. Many prospective travellers are now waiting for conditions to improve before making a decision.

According to travel operators, flights from the UAE to Jeddah and Madinah are still operating, while pilgrims are also travelling to Saudi Arabia by bus. Nevertheless, demand for new bookings has weakened amid uncertainty over regional security and flight schedules.

Riyadh Flight Cancellations Prompt Alternative Arrangements

Following the cancellation of some flights to Riyadh, travel companies have reportedly been transferring affected Umrah pilgrims to alternative flights to Jeddah and Madinah to help them continue their journeys.

Jaseem, a representative of Al Shamar Hajj and Umrah Services, said all the company’s scheduled Umrah groups were travelling according to their existing itineraries, with no group bookings cancelled so far.

He said passengers affected by Riyadh flight cancellations were being offered alternative tickets to Jeddah or Madinah, allowing them to reach Saudi Arabia through other routes.

He added that Umrah travel from the UAE had not been completely suspended, with both air and road transport options remaining available.

Bus Umrah Packages Start at AED 1,100

Travel operators said some pilgrims were considering travelling by bus instead of taking flights amid the uncertainty surrounding air travel.

An approximately 10-day Umrah package by bus from the UAE costs around AED 1,100, while packages involving air travel start at approximately AED 2,700.

However, operators said travellers considering road journeys were also assessing the regional security situation before making their final decisions.

Dubai Residents Postpone Umrah Plans

Speaking to Khaleej Times, a Dubai resident identified as Miran said he had planned to travel to Makkah soon to perform Umrah but had postponed the trip because of the reported attacks and uncertainty surrounding air travel.

He said that although flights to Jeddah and Madinah remained available, he did not feel comfortable travelling under the current circumstances.

Miran added that performing Umrah was very important to him, but he wanted to undertake the pilgrimage with peace of mind and a greater sense of security.

Similarly, Fazil Akbar, a resident of Dubai’s Garhoud area, said his family had been planning an Umrah trip for the past two years and had intended to travel this year. However, they were now waiting for the situation to improve.

He said that if flight disruptions continued, the family might consider travelling to Makkah by road with relatives and friends, provided the land routes were safe and travel requirements were clear.

He added that, after waiting so long to arrange the pilgrimage, it would be better to wait for more suitable conditions rather than rush into the journey.

Airlines Face Disruptions Amid Regional Tensions

The reported attacks on Saudi Arabia have affected flight operations at Riyadh and other airports, while several airlines operating from the UAE have reportedly cancelled or revised some services to Saudi destinations.

Flights operated by Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia have been among those affected by changes to schedules, creating difficulties for passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia.

Despite these disruptions, Umrah journeys from the UAE are continuing through available flights to Jeddah and Madinah, as well as land transport services.

Travel operators said the approximately 50 per cent decline in new bookings reflected travellers’ cautious behaviour amid regional uncertainty, rather than a complete halt to Umrah travel. Most pilgrims with confirmed packages have continued to follow their existing itineraries.

Prospective pilgrims have been advised to check the latest flight schedules, land-route conditions and travel arrangements with their airlines or travel operators before departing.

The reported decline in bookings and details of flight disruptions are based on the cited media report and statements from travel operators.