UAE-Saudi weekly flights rise 13.3% during Holy Month

Air travel between the UAE and Saudi Arabia is experiencing a significant uptick, boosted by heightened demand from travellers embarking on Umrah pilgrimages during the holy month.

Figures released by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) highlight a rise in flights between the two nations, reflecting the surge in demand for religious travel.

In March alone, the number of flights between the UAE and Saudi Arabia increased by 13.3 per cent, totaling approximately 383 weekly flights, compared to around 338 weekly flights in February, according to a report published by the state news agency, WAM.

Increased connectivity for Umrah travellers from UAE

Major airlines have ramped up their services to accommodate the surge in demand.

Low-cost carrier flydubai escalated its flights to the kingdom by a substantial 40 per cent, covering a wide array of destinations including Abha, Jazan, and Riyadh.

Similarly, Etihad Airways augmented its flights by over 22.2 per cent, with increased services to Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh.

The airline has permanently increased its services to key destinations in Saudi Arabia. With a total of 77 weekly flights, including 28 to Jeddah, 28 to Riyadh, and 21 to Dammam.

Read: Etihad to debut flights to this new Saudi destination

Emirates, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia have also bolstered their flight offerings, catering to the rising demand for Umrah travel during Ramadan.

During the Umrah season, spanning from March 11 to April 7, Etihad Airways transported approximately 45,000 passengers to destinations in Saudi Arabia.

Jeddah emerged as the top choice among travellers, with Etihad reporting that the passenger occupancy rate exceeded 95 per cent, WAM reported.

Individuals from the UAE, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia were the most prominent among the visitor demographics.