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UAE airlines increased Saudi flights during Ramadan

By Pramod Kumar
The increase in flights from the UAE to Saudi Arabia was driven by growing demand from Umrah performers Wam
The increase in flights from the UAE to Saudi Arabia was driven by growing demand from Umrah performers

Weekly flights from the UAE and Saudi Arabia rose 13 percent to 383 in March, compared to 338 in February.

The increase was driven by growing demand from Umrah performers during the last 10 days of Ramadan, which started last month, state-run Wam news agency reported, quoting the General Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) statistics.

Flydubai increased its flights to the kingdom by 40 percent to 130 flights in March from 93 in February. These flights served destinations including Abha, Jazan, Neom, AlUla, Qaisumah, Dammam, Qassim, Hail, Hofuf, Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Taif, Yanbu, Najran and Tabuk.

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Etihad Airways expanded its services by more than 22 percent to 77 weekly flights last month from 63 in February, connecting Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh.

Emirates recorded 67 weekly flights in March, covering Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah and Riyadh routes.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operated 21 weekly flights, serving destinations including Dammam and Madinah.

Additionally, Air Arabia increased its flights to Saudi Arabia to 88 per week, reaching Abha, Al Jowf, Dammam, Qassim, Hail, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Taif, Yanbu and Tabuk.

The report said that most travellers visiting the kingdom were from the UAE, India, Pakistan and Indonesia.

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