Emirates Adds Saudi Flights For Ramadan

Dubai-based Emirates Airlines plans to introduce 73 additional flights to and from Saudi Arabia during Ramadan, it has announced. The extra flights will operate to Jeddah and Medinah Al Munawarrah from 20th July to 1st September 2012.

“We expect travel to the Kingdom to increase significantly during the holy month of Ramadan in line with the annual movement of pilgrims,” said Ahmed Khoory, senior vice president, Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Emirates.

“To effectively cater to this increased demand we have added extra services giving our passengers more flight options and easing the flow of traffic.”

While 59 additional flights will operate to and from Jeddah, 14 extra flights will service Medinah Al Munawarrah. The additional flights will be serviced by a mixture of Boeing 777s and A330 aircraft, in a three-class configuration.

“With a growing fleet of 175 aircraft we are fortunate to have the flexibility required to adjust our schedules and accommodate this increased traffic flow,” added Khoory.

Emirates currently operates four routes in Saudi Arabia including Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Medinah Al Munawarrah.

The airline received permission from the Saudi Authorities to operate these flights for Umrah passengers, it added in the statement.