How Emirates Airlines Surging Connectivity for Hajj and Eid Al-Adha, Soaring Tourism in GCC?

Published on June 10, 2024

By: Rana Pratap

This Hajj season, Emirates is boosting connectivity with extra flights to Jeddah and Medina, ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey for pilgrims from around the globe.

This Hajj season, Emirates is fully prepared to accommodate the large influx of pilgrims traveling from its global network through Dubai to Jeddah and Medina, for the once-in-a-lifetime Muslim pilgrimage. Emirates has meticulously worked to ensure a comfortable and seamless experience for pilgrims at every touchpoint of their journey, both in the air and on the ground, as they head to Makkah for this sacred trip.

The Hajj pilgrimage in 2024 is set to host an estimated 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world. This massive influx of travelers will converge on Makkah, highlighting the significant impact on international travel and tourism. The event underscores the logistical marvel of accommodating such a diverse and vast number of visitors, showcasing the advancements in travel coordination and hospitality.

Additional Flights to Jeddah and Medina

To meet the increased demand, Emirates has added 10 extra flights to Jeddah and Medina between June 7-10 and June 21-26. These flights are strategically scheduled to align with the travel plans from key Hajj markets, including Indonesia, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, South Africa, Senegal, and Pakistan. These additional flights complement Emirates’ regular services to these Saudi cities, providing more options for thousands of pilgrims worldwide to fulfill this crucial Islamic duty. In addition, Emirates has scheduled 19 extra flights to destinations such as Amman, Dammam, Kuwait, and Beirut to cater to the high travel demand during Eid Al-Adha in mid-June.

Seamless Airport Experience

From arriving at Dubai International to transiting through the city and connecting to Jeddah and Medina, Emirates extends its renowned hospitality beyond the aircraft. Dedicated Emirates teams ensure a smooth airport experience, assisting pilgrims from arrival to departure. Pilgrims are greeted at the arrival gate by Emirates Airport Service personnel holding special signs and escorted to their next flight or the Emirates Hotel Desk for their stopover. Special ‘Hajj’ baggage tags are used to streamline the process.

Special gifts have also been arranged for the official UAE Hajj flight departing from Dubai on June 11.

Hajj-Centric Onboard Experience

Onboard, Emirates provides additional amenities to support pilgrims, including unperfumed towels, extra blankets, and provisions for ablutions. Special announcements notify passengers when they enter Al Miqat zones and when to change into Ihram robes. The award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, features a special video on Hajj formalities, safety information, and essential pilgrimage details. Passengers can also listen to the Holy Quran channel or read verses to continue their worship. Pilgrims may check in up to 5 liters of Zamzam water on their return, which will be stored in designated cargo areas.

Emirates encourages those on special Hajj flights to explore the full range of services on the Emirates website. These special flights are available to travelers with a valid Hajj visa, under 65 years old, and holding an authorized vaccination certificate by the Saudi Ministry of Health. Emirates, along with Dubai International and other Dubai travel ecosystem stakeholders, has put significant effort into ensuring a seamless journey for Hajj pilgrims.