TEHRAN – Mashhad’s international airport, the second most crowded terminal in Iran, has witnessed a 14% influx in domestic and overseas flights in a month.

“In the month of Ordibehesht [April 20 – May 20], 5198 flights landed and took off at Mashhad Airport,” said Khorasan Razavi airports’ director-general. “Which demonstrates about 14% rise compared to the corresponding time a year earlier.” 
A total number of 709,615 passengers, Mahmoud Amani-Bani added, were also passed through Mashhad International Hashemi Nejad Airport during the month before last.
Shedding light on a 33% upsurge in terms of inbound and outbound tourists transferring from the airport, he stated that some 155,289 foreign passengers traveled to/from Mashhad from mid-April to mid-May compared to the same period of the previous year.
“Mashhad-Tehran skyway with 925 flights per month was the leading route in the ranking,” Amani-Bani winded up. “When it comes to overseas flights, the ranking led by Mashhad-Najaf with 224 flights.”
At the heart of Mashhad is the holy shrine of Imam Reza (the eighth Shia Imam), which marks one of the largest and most revered religious sites in Iran.
Pilgrims from Iran and across the globe visit the shrine to pay their respects, seek spiritual solace, and perform religious rituals. The shrine is a sprawling architectural marvel, featuring golden domes, intricately designed minarets, vast courtyards, and beautifully decorated prayer halls.
To address the influx of pilgrims, Mashhad has developed an extensive infrastructure and facilities.
The city boasts a wide range of accommodations, from budget-friendly lodgings to luxury hotels, catering to the diverse needs of visitors. 
In summary, religious tourism is an integral part of Mashhad’s character. The city’s ability to blend spiritual devotion with modern amenities ensures that it remains a vital destination for pilgrims and a key cultural and economic hub in Iran.

XF/AM