Duba: Emirates will be operating extra flights to Jeddah and Medina to help facilitate travel for pilgrims heading to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Haj.
The airline is expecting to accommodate 25,000 pilgrims during the period and will be operating 33 additional flights to Jeddah and Medina from August 6 to 31.
The services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled flights to Jeddah and Medina. These additional flight services are available to travellers holding a valid Haj visa.
This year, top inbound destinations Emirates is expecting Haj pilgrims to come from are Pakistan, Senegal, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Indonesia, the Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
“Haj travel is an extraordinary journey for Muslims which leaves them with a lifetime of memorable experiences, and we expect over 25,000 pilgrims to travel with Emirates this year,” said Adil Ghaith, Emirates’ senior vice president for commercial operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran.
“With the significant demand for air travel during this period, Emirates is deploying extra flights to ensure more seamless connections for the scores of pilgrims making their way to the holy city of Mecca”
On the ground in Dubai, Emirates has a dedicated airport team whose purpose is to seamlessly facilitate the passenger ground experience for Haj. In addition, dedicated check-in and transfer counters will be set up for Haj passengers transiting in Dubai.
Aboard the Emirates aircraft, several initiatives have been planned in keeping with the values and traditions that pilgrims uphold when travelling for Haj.
Extra provisions will be made to accommodate Haj traveller needs such as performing ablutions, advising passengers about Al Miqat and Ihram (the phase when pilgrims enter a state of sanctity) and other arrangements that will help ease their journey.
On flights from Jeddah, Haj passengers can bring up to 5 litres of holy water (Zamzam) which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold. As with all Emirates flights, Haj passengers will enjoy extra baggage allowance of up to 35 kilos in economy Class, 40 kilos in business class and 50 kilos in first class.
