Pilgrims from all around the world will make their way to Saudi Arabia over the next few weeks to perform Hajj. Photo: General Presidency of Haramain
Pilgrims from all around the world will make their way to Saudi Arabia over the next few weeks to perform Hajj. Photo: General Presidency of Haramain
Pilgrims from all around the world will make their way to Saudi Arabia over the next few weeks to perform Hajj. Photo: General Presidency of Haramain
Pilgrims from all around the world will make their way to Saudi Arabia over the next few weeks to perform Hajj. Photo: General Presidency of Haramain

Travel

Airlines

Emirates increases flights to Jeddah and Madinah for Hajj period

The airline is boosting its service frequency to help facilitate pilgrims

Selina Denman
Selina Denman

June 23, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Emirates is scheduling additional flights to Jeddah and Madinah during the Hajj season, to cater to pilgrims travelling to Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

The airline will operate 31 extra flights to Jeddah, as well as double daily flights to Madinah from June 23 to July 20. These services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regular scheduled services.

Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded Hajj participation this year to nearly one million pilgrims. Emirates is reporting strong demand for Hajj travel from Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malaysia, the UK, the US, the UAE and Algeria.

In order to take advantage of these new special services, passengers must be under the age of 65, hold a valid Hajj visa and hold a valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate, as well a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Emirates will operate 31 extra flights to Jeddah, as well as double daily flights to Madinah. Bloomberg
Emirates will operate 31 extra flights to Jeddah, as well as double daily flights to Madinah. Bloomberg

The airline has implemented a number of measures to ensure pilgrims have a seamless journey that is aligned with the tenets of their faith. On the ground in Dubai, Emirates has a special Hajj airport team to help manage check-in and transfers, and has set up dedicated check-in and transfer counters for Hajj passengers transiting in Dubai.

On board, extra provisions have been introduced, such as ablution cleansing rituals, unperfumed towels and announcements advising passengers when they have entered Al Miqat zones (state of sanctity). On flights from Jeddah, passengers can check-in up to five litres of holy water (Zamzam), which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention has urged all pilgrims and the wider community to follow health instructions and precautions before and during travel. It has advised that all those travelling for Hajj make sure that they are up to date with both basic and optional vaccinations, including those safeguarding against meningitis, seasonal influenza, pneumococcal infections and Covid-19.

The ministry has encouraged pilgrims, especially those suffering from chronic diseases, to visit health centres before travelling to Saudi Arabia, where they are able to undertake free health tests, including those for diabetes and blood pressure.

Hajj 2022: Saudi Arabia aims to keep pilgrimage clean and eco-friendly — in pictures

  • Volunteer Abdulrahman al Maani distributes watermelon slices to Hajj pilgrims leaving for Makkah, in Maan, Jordan. Reuters
    Volunteer Abdulrahman al Maani distributes watermelon slices to Hajj pilgrims leaving for Makkah, in Maan, Jordan. Reuters
  • A boy offers sweets to Hajj pilgrims leaving for Makkah, in Maan, Jordan. Reuters
    A boy offers sweets to Hajj pilgrims leaving for Makkah, in Maan, Jordan. Reuters
  • Tunisian Muslims travel to participate in Hajj in Makkah. EPA
    Tunisian Muslims travel to participate in Hajj in Makkah. EPA
  • This year’s quota for Tunisians for the pilgrimage is 4,792, the country’s Minister of Religious Affairs Ibrahim Chaibi said. EPA
    This year’s quota for Tunisians for the pilgrimage is 4,792, the country’s Minister of Religious Affairs Ibrahim Chaibi said. EPA
  • Tunisian President Kais Saied greets some of those heading for Makkah. EPA
    Tunisian President Kais Saied greets some of those heading for Makkah. EPA
  • A Palestinian Muslim pilgrim receives a Covid-19 vaccine dose at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt as they head to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
    A Palestinian Muslim pilgrim receives a Covid-19 vaccine dose at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt as they head to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
  • A bus carrying Palestinian Muslim pilgrims arrives at the Rafah border crossing. The Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. AFP
    A bus carrying Palestinian Muslim pilgrims arrives at the Rafah border crossing. The Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. AFP
  • The Hajj pilgrimage is an Islamic religious duty that must be carried out at least once in the lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. AFP
    The Hajj pilgrimage is an Islamic religious duty that must be carried out at least once in the lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. AFP
  • Millions of Muslims travel every year to Saudi Arabia to participate in the Hajj, although this was not the case over the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
    Millions of Muslims travel every year to Saudi Arabia to participate in the Hajj, although this was not the case over the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
  • This pilgrim receives best wishes from her loved one before embarking on the journey to Makkah. AFP
    This pilgrim receives best wishes from her loved one before embarking on the journey to Makkah. AFP
  • Muslims devotees bound to Makkah for the Hajj pilgrimage arrive at the airport in Ahmedabad, India. AFP
    Muslims devotees bound to Makkah for the Hajj pilgrimage arrive at the airport in Ahmedabad, India. AFP
  • An Iraqi pilgrim at Jdeidet Arar port in northern Saudi Arabia. The port provides services to those performing Hajj. SPA
    An Iraqi pilgrim at Jdeidet Arar port in northern Saudi Arabia. The port provides services to those performing Hajj. SPA
  • Members of the third group of Iraqi pilgrims arrive at the port. SPA
    Members of the third group of Iraqi pilgrims arrive at the port. SPA
  • More than 4,000 pilgrims from Iraq have passed through the port. SPA
    More than 4,000 pilgrims from Iraq have passed through the port. SPA
  • A Syrian pilgrim prepares to board a bus at the Bab Al Hawa border crossing with Turkey. AFP
    A Syrian pilgrim prepares to board a bus at the Bab Al Hawa border crossing with Turkey. AFP
  • Syrians gather at the border crossing as they prepare to travel to Makkah. AFP
    Syrians gather at the border crossing as they prepare to travel to Makkah. AFP
  • All Muslims who are able to must perform Hajj during their lives. AFP
    All Muslims who are able to must perform Hajj during their lives. AFP
  • Hajj pilgrims begin their journey from the Bab Al Hawa crossing to Saudi Arabia. AFP
    Hajj pilgrims begin their journey from the Bab Al Hawa crossing to Saudi Arabia. AFP
  • More than 10,000 Syrians will perform the pilgrimage this year. AFP
    More than 10,000 Syrians will perform the pilgrimage this year. AFP
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UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

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Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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