Experiencing a significant growth in demand for air travel during Hajj, Emirates airline has decided to deploy extra flights for Hajj pilgrims making their way to Mecca and Medina.
Emirates will be deploying 31 additional flights to Jeddah, and double the number of daily flights to Medina from 23 June to 20 July, 2022.
These services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled services, the airline confirmed in a statement.
In order to avail of these special flights, travellers and pilgrims will need to:
- Have a valid Hajj visa
- Be under the age of 65,
- Hold a valid vaccination certificate with a vaccine authorised by the Saudi Ministry of Health,
- Carry a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of departure
Saudi Arabia has greatly expanded its Hajj participation this year to nearly a million pilgrims.
This year, Emirates has seen strong demand for Hajj travel from Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malaysia, the UK, US, UAE, and Algeria.
Protocols aiding a pilgrim-based experience with Emirates
Given the significance of the once-in-a-lifetime Hajj experience, the airline’s teams have been working hard to ensure that every detail of the pilgrim’s experience is aligned with the tenets of their faith.
On the ground in Dubai, Emirates has a special Hajj airport team to help manage check-in, transfers, and helping to facilitate a seamless and convenient on ground experience for Hajj pilgrims.
Emirates has also set up dedicated check-in and transfer counters for Hajj passengers transiting in Dubai.
For Hajj travellers who have a longer layover in Dubai before continuing on to Jeddah or Medina, dedicated teams are on hand to escort those groups and support them on all of their arrival formalities.
From the moment pilgrims step onto the aircraft, a range of initiatives have been planned in keeping with the values and traditions of the Hajj journey, including:
- Extra provisions to accommodate Hajj traveller needs such as ablution cleansing rituals,
- Unperfumed towels,
- Advising passengers while en route to Jeddah about when they have entered Al Miqat zones (state of sanctity)
- Advising on changing of Ihram robes through special PAs
Emirates’ award-winning ICE system will also feature a special Hajj video that covers safety, general formalities, and information about performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
Pilgrims will also be able to tune into the Holy Quran channel, in addition to other religious content.
On flights from Jeddah, passengers can check-in up to 5 litres of holy water (Zamzam), which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold.
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