Hajj 2022: Airfares on UAE-Saudi Arabia routes turn costlier on high demand

Hajj 2022: Airfares on UAE-Saudi Arabia routes turn costlier on high demand

Dubai: Airline rates between the UAE and Saudi Arabia are firming up as demand starts to peak for the Hajj pilgrimage. Fares have risen across all routes from the Kingdom as Riyadh and Dammam are now the only two airports where visit-visa holders can land. Those with a Hajj visa are permitted to enter Saudi Arabia via Jeddah, Madinah, Yanbu, and Taif international airports. This arrangement will be in place until July 9. An Emirates flight from Dubai to Riyadh on June 23 will cost more than Dh1,400. Saudi low-cost carriers flynas and flyadeal are charging Dh400-Dh500 on the route. In the second week of July, Emirates flights will cost around Dh1,600, while the budget carriers will hike their fares to more than Dh1,000. Flights from Dubai to Dammam will be anywhere between Dh500-Dh1,500. Fares will dip in July with full-service carriers charging only Dh900-Dh1,200. Jeddah, which will see most of the Hajj-related traffic, is on the more expensive side with most flights from Dubai are going for Dh1,000 and above. Fares are seen staying around the same level mid-July even with airlines adding more capacity. Emirates will operate 31 additional flights to Jeddah and double daily flights to Medina