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Airlines change strategy for fasting month
Ramadan, generally a slow month for air travel, is pushing airlines to be creative in enticing travel while also catering to Muslim travellers' specific needs.
- By Ivan Gale, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 September 23, 2006
Dubai: Ramadan, generally a slow month for air travel, is pushing airlines to be creative in enticing travel while also catering to Muslim travellers' specific needs.
Carriers are considering shifting flights around to accommodate Iftar, when Muslims gather to break the fast in a communal setting.
An Emirates airline spokesperson said the carrier had revised its flight schedule to suit Iftar timing.
For example, Emirates scheduled flight EK 803 will depart Dubai at a rescheduled time of 6.45pm and arrive in Jeddah at 8.30pm. The return flight, EK 804, will take off from Jeddah at a revised time of 10pm.
See loved ones
Air Arabia said it will provide passengers with Iftar boxes that include dates, water and sweets through the entire month.
Many Muslims spend the month enjoying time at home with family, which is why air travel generally slumps during the month. However, some observers often take a week or two to fly back home to see loved ones, and carriers may add additional flights on an as-needed basis for such travellers.
However, nowhere is the demand going to see such a spike as in Jeddah, the gateway for religious travellers during Umrah, one of the holy pilgrimages to Makkah.
Stimulate demand
Emirates has announced the start of extra flights to Jeddah for Ramadan between September 20 and November 5, while elsewhere it may offer promotions to fill seats. An Air Arabia spokesperson said from September 22 to October 22 the Sharjah-based airline could add over a dozen flights to Jeddah depending on customer demand.
Qatar Airways is unfurling plans for several promotions geared for various parts of their customer base. During the month of Ramadan the Doha-based carrier will promote a companion fare.
After the purchase of one full-priced ticket, the second fare will be discounted by 25 per cent.
In addition, the airline will seek to stimulate demand by offering significant savings to members of the civil aviation and travel industries.
No change
A Qatar Airways spokes-person said the discounts could reach as high as 50 per cent for some tickets.
The exception to this busy planning may be Etihad Airways.
A company spokesperson said there are no moves afoot to change its schedule during the month.
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