Umrah News: BA and Scoot Suspend Jeddah Flights, Saudi Ministry Clarifies Nusuk Minimum Age

This article is correct as of 2026-08-10.

Two airline disruptions on the Jeddah route and a quiet policy clarification from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah have landed in the same news cycle. For DIY Umrah travellers, the practical takeaway is simple: your flight options to Jeddah just got tighter, and families with young children now have official word on Nusuk permit requirements.

Jeddah flight disruptions: what’s changed

British Airways: Jeddah gone for good

British Airways has permanently suspended all flights to Jeddah. This is not a seasonal adjustment or a temporary pause. The route has been removed from BA’s network entirely. For UK-based DIY travellers who relied on BA for direct Jeddah access or for Avios redemptions, this is a genuine loss of a convenient option. [1]

Scoot: Singapore-Jeddah suspended until 12 September

Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary Scoot has suspended Singapore-Jeddah flights until 12 September 2026. For Southeast Asian pilgrims, especially those connecting through Singapore, this removes the most affordable direct option from the region. Full-service alternatives on Singapore Airlines (if still operating) or connecting through Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta will cost more. [2]

European carriers: holds until late October

Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines all have flights to various Middle East destinations on hold until 24 October 2026. While these primarily affect routes to Beirut and Amman, the broader regional uncertainty means anyone flying from Europe to Jeddah should check their specific airline’s status directly rather than assuming normal operations. [2]

Turkish Airlines: mixed picture

Turkish Airlines has resumed flights to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Damascus, Beirut, and Amman, which is good news for anyone routing through Istanbul. However, its flights to Iran remain suspended. For Umrah travellers, Turkish Airlines remains a viable connecting option through Istanbul to both Jeddah and Madinah, provided your itinerary does not touch Iran. [2]

Nusuk permit minimum age: the official word

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, posting on its official X (formerly Twitter) platform page, has clarified two important points about the Nusuk app and Umrah permits: [1]

• The minimum age for obtaining an Umrah permit through the Nusuk application is five years. Anyone aged five and above who wants to perform Umrah must have a permit issued through Nusuk. [1]
• Children under five years old do not require a permit. Families travelling with infants and toddlers can skip the Nusuk step for those children entirely. [1]

This clarification matters because the Nusuk permit system has been a source of confusion since it was introduced. Parents travelling with young children have reported uncertainty at permit checkpoints, with some unsure whether toddlers needed their own permit. The ministry’s statement removes that ambiguity.

For DIY families planning Umrah, the practical workflow is now clear: if your child is five or older, include them in your Nusuk permit application. If they are four or younger, they are exempt. Bring documentation showing your child’s age (passport is fine) in case you are asked at a checkpoint. [1]

Multiple-entry visa: the ministry reconfirms the details

In the same X platform post, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also restated the framework for the multiple-entry Umrah visa. While this is not new information, the one-year multiple-entry visa has been widely discussed since late July, the ministry’s direct confirmation carries weight: [1]

• The visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance. [1]
• Total stay across all entries must not exceed 90 days within that 365-day window. [1]

The 90-day cap is the detail most people miss. It is not 90 days per entry and it is not a rolling window. It is a hard total across the full year. If you plan to make three short Umrah trips, keep a running tally of how many days you have spent inside Saudi Arabia on this visa. [1]

What DIY travellers should do right now

1. If you booked British Airways to Jeddah: Contact BA immediately. You are entitled to a full refund or rebooking. Do not wait for them to contact you. [1]
2. If you are on Scoot Singapore-Jeddah: Check your travel dates. Flights resume 12 September at the earliest. If your trip is before then, start looking at alternatives now: AirAsia via Kuala Lumpur or full-service carriers via Jakarta are the most likely fallback options. [2]
3. If you are flying from Europe: Do not assume your Lufthansa/Swiss/Austrian/Brussels Airlines booking to the Middle East is safe. Check the airline’s website for your specific route and date. The holds extend to 24 October. [2]
4. If you are travelling with young children: Children under five do not need a Nusuk permit. Children five and above do. Bring passports for all children regardless of age. [1]
5. If you hold a multiple-entry visa: Track your total days inside Saudi Arabia. Do not exceed 90 days across all entries over the 365-day visa period. [1]

Notes

1. [1] Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, via official X platform page, as reported by Ajel English (10 August 2026). https://english.ajel.sa/news/v6pzvtvvw
2. [2] Airline route changes: British Airways, Scoot, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa Group suspensions and resumptions, as reported by The National (10 August 2026). https://www.thenationalnews.com/travel/2026/08/10/uae-riyadh-middle-east-flights-cancellations-update/