Emirates to add 46 flights to Jeddah, Madinah during Hajj

Dubai-based Emirates will operate an additional 46 flights to Jeddah and Madinah during the Hajj season.

The flights will be operated between July 27 and August 22, the airline said in a statement on Tuesday.

The services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled services to Jeddah and Madinah, and will be available to travelers holding a valid Hajj visa.

The airline expects thousands of pilgrims to travel on its services for Hajj, coming from destinations such as Pakistan, the United States, Senegal, the UK, Nigeria, Indonesia, South Africa and Ivory Coast.

The airline said it taking specific measures to cater to Hajj travelers. It has commissioned a dedicated team to manage check-in and transfers for Hajj passengers leaving from and transiting in Dubai.

Onboard flights, extra provisions will be made to accommodate Hajj traveler needs such as performing ablutions and other cleansing rituals as well as advising passengers when they have entered Al Miqat zones to ensure readiness for Ihram (the point when pilgrims enter a state of sanctity).

On flights from Jeddah, Hajj passengers can bring up to five liters of holy water (Zamzam) which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold.

Over 2.3 million people from across the world performed the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia last year. This year, the Hajj is predicted to begin on August 9.