It all started in Dubai when flying taxis became the Emirate’s new way of revolutionizing transportation. Now, it has entered a completely different playing field: the Hajj pilgrimage.
With Hajj season on the horizon, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Saleh al-Jasser, wanted to make commuting more convenient and easier for pilgrims. That is why he announced that the Kingdom will begin testing flying taxis and drones during the upcoming Hajj season.
This is not the first time the Kingdom took innovative, technological steps to boost the Hajj experience. Some of the technological innovations they did include the Hajj Portal, Nusuk app, and pre-booking of Riazal Jannah.
“Through initiatives such as the Hajj Portal and Nusuk app, introduced especially after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saudi government has shown a commitment to modernize and streamline the pilgrimage experience,” described al-Jasser.
Making life simpler for pilgrims also goes beyond Hajj as, recently, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque introduced golf carts to assist the elderly and persons with disability during their tawaf around the Kaaba.
When it comes to the Hajj’s latest innovation, the flying taxis and drones, more will be revealed soon, as they are still in their testing phase.