Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED/OEMA) Operational Guide

Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED/OEMA) serves Madinah and is a major gateway for pilgrimage traffic. ASM coordinates MED flight support through its 24/7 desk, aligning permits, seasonal airport requirements, ground handling, parking, Jet A-1 fuel, crew logistics and passenger arrangements for each non-scheduled or charter movement.

Information reviewed: 8 September 2026. Pilgrimage procedures and capacity controls can change by season. Confirm the current Saudi AIP, NOTAMs and official Hajj or Umrah instructions before operation.

MED/OEMA operational facts

Operational item	Planning reference
Airport	Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport
IATA / ICAO	MED / OEMA
Location	Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Primary operating consideration	Pilgrimage-season coordination and passenger processing
Core confirmations	Permit, airport coordination, handling, parking, fuel and crew plan
Operational check	Current AIP, NOTAMs and season-specific authority instructions

Why is seasonal planning important at MED?

Traffic demand, passenger-processing arrangements and operating controls can change significantly around pilgrimage periods. The approved schedule, airport acceptance, handler, passenger documentation, transport and crew plan should be developed together.

Do not reuse assumptions from an earlier Hajj or Umrah season. ASM reviews the current movement against the latest available instructions and coordinates Hajj and Umrah flight support around the operator’s programme.

Landing permits and passenger documentation

The application should accurately describe the operator, aircraft, routing, dates, purpose and traffic rights. Passenger and crew documentation must support the stated operation and any season-specific requirements.

Aircraft, timing, route or programme changes can affect the approval. Review them through ASM flight permit support before changing only the airport or ground-service booking.

Ground handling and arrival processing at MED

The handling plan may cover ramp services, passenger and crew processing, baggage, equipment, catering, water and lavatory service, transport and special assistance. The applicable terminal and processing route depend on the accepted operation.

Share passenger numbers, baggage profile and mobility or assistance requirements early. ASM coordinates ground handling with the locally appointed provider after the movement is accepted.

Parking, fuel and aircraft turnaround

Parking is not confirmed by the landing permit. State the intended ground time and whether the aircraft will turn, remain overnight or reposition. A peak-period programme may require a different parking or positioning plan.

For fuel, provide the grade, estimated quantity, registration and release instructions. ASM’s aviation fuel coordination connects supplier acceptance with the handler and departure schedule.

Crew HOTAC and ground transport

Accommodation and transport should be reserved around crew duty, reporting time and operational changes. Hotel and vehicle demand may tighten during major pilgrimage periods.

Maintain a revision plan for delayed arrival, extended ground time or changed departure. Crew transport, hotel, catering, fuel and permits can all require reconfirmation.

Slots, PPR and airport acceptance at MED

A landing permit, airport slot or PPR, parking approval and handling confirmation are separate parts of the operation. Their applicability and timing depend on the operator, aircraft, flight purpose, proposed UTC schedule and current traffic controls. Hajj and Umrah periods can introduce seasonal controls and higher demand at Madinah, so operators should not rely on routine-period assumptions.

ASM reviews the movement with the relevant authority, airport, handler and service-provider channels. Any schedule change should be checked across permits, slot or PPR, parking, handling, crew duty and passenger processing before the flight plan is revised.

Customs, immigration and quarantine at MED

Passenger, crew and cargo processing must be coordinated for the specific movement. Required manifests, travel documents, advance passenger information, visas, customs declarations and any current health or quarantine documentation depend on the operation and Saudi requirements in force.

Operators should confirm the applicable terminal or processing point, document-submission channel, reporting time and ground-transport arrangement before departure. ASM can coordinate these requirements with the appointed service providers, while immigration, customs, security and health clearance remain subject to the responsible authorities.

Operating hours, restrictions and NOTAM checks at MED

Airport and service availability should be verified for every movement against the current Saudi AIP, NOTAMs and airport or handler confirmation. Runway availability, temporary restrictions, noise procedures, terminal acceptance and supplier operating windows may change with maintenance, traffic, weather and the type of flight.

ASM’s 24/7 operations desk aligns these checks with permits, ground handling, parking, Jet A-1 fuel, crew transport and passenger or cargo requirements. Final permissions and airport acceptance remain subject to the relevant authorities, airport and service providers.

Related Madinah planning pages

Review ASM’s 24/7 flight support services for wider operational coordination. Charter planners can also review the private jet to Madinah guide; every airport and passenger arrangement should still be confirmed for the specific mission.

What information should operators send ASM?

Send the operator name, aircraft type and registration, MTOW, complete routing, ETA and ETD in UTC, purpose of flight, passenger and crew totals, required ground time, fuel uplift, handling scope, parking requirement and any cargo or special-service details. Include the AOC and insurance documents where relevant.

Providing one complete brief allows the permit, airport coordination, handling, fuel and crew arrangements to be checked together instead of as separate requests.

Frequently asked questions

Does MED require a landing permit?

Applicable non-scheduled operations into Saudi Arabia require the relevant authority approval. Requirements depend on the operator, aircraft, traffic rights and purpose of flight. ASM reviews the mission details before coordinating the submission.

Are slots or prior airport approval required at MED?

Slot, PPR or airport-acceptance requirements can change by traffic period and operation type. Operators should confirm the current Saudi AIP, NOTAMs and airport instructions for both arrival and departure.

Is Jet A-1 available at MED?

Jet A-1 is normally available, but the requested quantity, supplier acceptance, delivery method and fuel release should be confirmed before the operation. A general statement of availability is not an uplift confirmation.

Can ASM coordinate ground handling at MED?

Yes. ASM can coordinate the appointed local provider for ramp handling, passenger and crew processing, baggage, ground equipment, water and lavatory service, catering delivery and other confirmed requirements.

Can aircraft parking be guaranteed?

No. Parking remains subject to airport and handler confirmation for the aircraft type, schedule and proposed ground time. Overnight or extended parking should be requested early.

How early should a MED request be submitted?

Submit as early as practical. The minimum regulatory notice is not a guarantee of slots, parking, handling, fuel or special-service acceptance. More time may be needed during peak traffic or for state, diplomatic, cargo or other specialised missions.

Are Hajj and Umrah procedures the same throughout the year?

No. Operating instructions, schedules and passenger-processing requirements may change by season. Use the current official programme and reconfirm requirements for each movement.

Request flight support at MED

Planning an operation through Madinah? ASM has supported international aviation operations since 1998 and coordinates flight support through its 24/7 desk.

Email: sales@asm.aero
Telephone: +971 4 409 7755

Permits, slots, airport acceptance, parking, fuel and handling remain subject to the applicable authorities and suppliers for the individual movement.