In a move aimed at facilitating travel for thousands of pilgrims, Dubai-based Emirates Airline has announced the addition of extra flights to Jeddah for the forthcoming Hajj pilgrimage. Emirates will operate 31 additional flights to Jeddah, the closest airport base to the Holy City of Mecca, to cater for the increased passenger movement during this peak season and has appointed a dedicated group of airport staff to provide the best ground-handling services to passengers, while onboard they can interact with Arabic speaking cabin crew.

Adnan Kazim, Senior Vice President, Commercial Sales for Emirates Airline, said:  “Emirates aims to provide all its customers with the very best service and convenience, particularly so at this significant time of year, when many Muslims want to make this important journey.”

Competitive economy class and first class fares are applicable on a number of flights. These fares do not carry restrictions on refund or rebooking and reconfirmations are no longer required.

Providing further dedicated assistance to pilgrims for the organisation of their travel requirements, the airline’s 24-hour hotline number 800-8-971-487 will operate round the clock, offering customers direct access to a travel consultant at any time of the day.

The toll free hotline facility, manned in Arabic and English, will be equipped with additional manpower over and above the existing team of highly-trained travel consultants and will aid customers to book and alter their flight schedules as required.

Places on all flights are subject to availability, so early booking is advised. For more details on fares and availability, customers should contact their Hajj tour operator.