Emirates will be expanding its services to Jeddah and Medina with an additional 46 flights to help facilitate travel for Hajj pilgrims heading to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The flights will be operated between 27 July and 22 August to support the Hajj journey to the Holy City of Mecca.

The services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled services to Jeddah and Medina, and will be available to travellers holding a valid Hajj visa.

Emirates expects thousands of pilgrims to travel on its flights for Hajj, from top destinations such as Pakistan, the US, Senegal, the UK, Nigeria, Indonesia, South Africa and Ivory Coast.

On the ground in Dubai, Emirates has commissioned a dedicated team to manage check-in and transfers for the seamless movement of Hajj passengers leaving from and transiting in Dubai.

In the air, Emirates has planned several initiatives that uphold the values and traditions of Hajj pilgrims. Provisions will be made to accommodate pilgrims needs like ablutions and other rituals.

On flights from Jeddah, Hajj passengers can bring up to 5 litres of holy water (Zamzam) which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold.