Dubai’s Emirates to operate additional flights for Hajj season

Dubai carrier Emirates is deploying extra flights to ensure greater connectivity for pilgrims travelling to the Holy City of Makkah.

The airline will be deploying 31 additional flights to Jeddah and double daily flights to Medina from June 23 until July 20 to transport pilgrims. These services, however, will run in parallel with Emirates’ regular scheduled services.

We’re adding extra flights to Jeddah and Medina during Hajj to ensure more connectivity for pilgrims making their way to the Holy City of Makkah. https://t.co/Spcem3GQNP pic.twitter.com/XGEXfBLSeO

— Emirates Airline (@emirates) June 22, 2022

The carrier said that it has seen demand for Hajj travel from Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malaysia, the UK, US, UAE and Algeria.

The special services are available to travellers holding a valid Hajj visa. Pilgrims must also be under the age of 65, hold a valid vaccination certificate with a vaccine authorised by the Saudi Ministry of Health, and must also carry a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of departure. On the ground in Dubai, Emirates has a special airport team to help manage check-in, transfers and facilitate Hajj pilgrims. Emirates has also set up dedicated check-in and transfer counters for Hajj passengers transiting in Dubai.

Onboard, extra provisions to accommodate Hajj traveller needs such as ablution cleansing rituals, un-perfumed towels, advising passengers while en route to Jeddah about Al Miqat zones (state of sanctity) and changing of Ihram robes through special PAs, have been planned.

Emirates’ ice system will also feature a video informing of safety, general formalities and information about performing the pilgrimage. On flights from Jeddah, passengers can check-in up to five litres of the holy water Zamzam, which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold. Saudi Arabia has expanded its Hajj participation to nearly a million pilgrims this year.

Earlier this year, Emirates and the Saudi Tourism Authority had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost inbound tourism into the kingdom.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates, Saudi Tourism Authority ink agreement to underpin inbound tourism in the kingdom