Forty-five Umrah pilgrims missed their flights to Saudi Arabia after vaccination requirements disrupted their departure from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Monday.
The passengers said airport staff repeatedly directed them between different locations while they tried to complete the vaccination process. However, the group ultimately failed to depart for their religious journey.
Pilgrims Report Confusion at Karachi Airport
According to one passenger, airport staff instructed the 45 pilgrims to obtain vaccinations at the Old Terminal Lounge of Jinnah International Airport. During the process, the passengers struggled to complete the necessary arrangements before departure.
As a result, all 45 pilgrims missed their flights to Saudi Arabia. The affected passengers also raised concerns about the assistance they received from airport staff.
One passenger said the airline was now advising them to purchase new tickets for their Umrah journey. He added that the airline would not accept responsibility if the vaccination process had been completed.
The affected travellers expressed frustration over the situation, saying that “we deserve help instead; the airline is asking us to purchase tickets again”.
Previous Vaccination Requirements Also Affected Pilgrims
The incident follows earlier cases in which vaccination requirements prevented Pakistani Umrah pilgrims from boarding their flights.
In 2025, hundreds of pilgrims were denied boarding at airports across Pakistan because they lacked polio vaccination certificates. These restrictions affected passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia.
Reports at the time stated that airlines had offloaded 228 passengers within 24 hours. The affected passengers included travellers booked on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), private airlines and foreign carriers.
They were unable to present valid polio vaccination certificates required for their journeys.
Saudi Arabia’s Polio Vaccination Rules
Saudi aviation authorities made polio vaccination certificates mandatory for travellers arriving in the Kingdom from February 10 onwards, according to the reported requirements.
Furthermore, the Saudi Ministry of Aviation stipulated that passengers must receive the polio vaccine at least four weeks before their scheduled departure.
These requirements mean travellers must plan their vaccinations well ahead of their flights. Passengers who fail to meet the applicable conditions risk being denied boarding.
The latest incident at Karachi airport highlights the difficulties passengers can face when vaccination requirements remain incomplete close to departure. Meanwhile, the 45 affected pilgrims now face the prospect of arranging replacement tickets before continuing their planned Umrah journey.
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