Boost for Saudi flights during Ramadan

Etihad Airways is providing additional flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah during the Holy month of Ramadan. The extra services to Jeddah will operate until 12 September and build upon the 28 return flights Etihad currently operates every week to the Saudi Arabian destinations of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. The services – which will be operated by two and three class Airbus A330s and A320s – also open a range of short and long-haul connection options for air travellers in Saudi Arabia flying via Etihad’s home base in Abu Dhabi to destinations around the world. Hareb Almuhairy, Etihad Airways’ Vice President of Sales in the United Arab Emirates said: “The additional flights from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah will cater for the great demand from Umra travellers during the holy month of Ramadan and will significantly enhance the travel options to Muslim communities throughout our network. “Passengers will be able to connect quickly and conveniently from all regions in the world including the Middle East, GCC, Australia, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast and North Asia, Africa, North America and Europe.” Throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, Etihad Airways will also be welcoming guests to a traditional Emirati tent at the airline’s premium check-in counter at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Arabic coffee, dates and refreshments from Etihad’s Diamond First class cabin menus will be served to all Etihad Airways passengers between 7.00pm-8.00pm, to coincide with the evening prayer and the breaking of the fast. Etihad launched its service from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh with eight services per week in December 2004. It commenced operations in the same month to Dammam with13 flights per week and in May 2006 commenced daily flights to Jeddah