Emirates to lay on extra flights for hajj

Emirates Airline said it will provide more than 70 extra flights during the hajj season to assist pilgrims travelling to the Islamic holy city of Makkah.

The Dubai-based carrier will lay on 27 additional services between Dubai and Jeddah from now until October 22, as well 33 more flights between the two Gulf cities from October 29 to November 11.

Seven additional flights will run from Emirates’ hub in Dubai to Al Medinah al Munawarah between October 13 and October 19, and an extra five services will fly from Medinah to Dubai from November 4 to November 8.

The airline is also providing dedicated check-in counters at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 for the hajj season.

Hajj is one of the busiest times of the year for Gulf airlines with up to 2m foreign pilgrims travelling to the Saudi city of Makkah. The season falls this year between October 24 and October 29.

All able-bodied Muslims are required to complete hajj at some point in their life time.