Airlines

Emirates to ramp up flights ahead of Hajj and Eid Al Adha surge

Emirates is adding more flights to significant regional locations as the Hajj season has begun and Eid Al Adha celebrations are soon to take place in order to accommodate the high demand for travel during this special occasion.

Emirates anticipates a busy travel period during Eid..!(Opens in a new browser tab)

For pilgrims to travel to and from the Holy City of Makkah, Emirates has set up additional flights. There are now ten extra flights to and from Jeddah. Up until 7 July, all flights will be flown on Boeing 777 planes reserved for Hajj pilgrims. The Hajj flights to Jeddah will run concurrently with Emirates‘ regular flight schedule to the Kingdom and are available to anyone with a valid Hajj visa who is at least 12 years old and has had a COVID-19 vaccination. Daily flights will also be available to Medina during this time.

10 ways to beat the Eid travel rush with Emirates(Opens in a new browser tab)

In preparation for a busy travel period around Eid Al Adha, Emirates has added 34 more flights to well-liked locations all throughout the region. The extra flights will make it easier for customers to fly home to celebrate Eid Al Adha with their family and friends because an estimated 78,000 people from throughout the area are anticipated to travel with Emirates during the six-day break.

For passengers traveling to the Levant, Emirates has added ten flights to Amman from 21 to 30 June, and ten additional flights to Beirut from 20 to 29 June. Within the GCC, the airline has added five flights to Dammam from 21 to 25 June and nine flights to Kuwait from 22 June to 2 July.

Hajj flights 2023 from India – schedules and updates(Opens in a new browser tab)

Emirates hosts a variety of multicultural celebrations onboard to cater to its international customer. From June 28 to 30, travelers will be able to take part in the traditional festivities of Eid Al Adha. On select outbound flights from Dubai and all flights across the Gulf and Levant, classic Eid dishes will be served across First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class, including regional favorites such as chicken moughalghal, beef sajiyeh, prawn morbian and lamb midfoot in First and Business Class, chicken zurbian and lamb chermoula in Premium Economy, and kebab khashkhash, prawn sayadieh, lamb tagine, Daoud basha and chicken hamsa in Economy.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.