Dubai Airports ready to handle Hajj rush

Dedicated check-in, immigration counters and departure gates set up for people travelling to Saudi Arabia

Muslim pilgrims arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. AFP

Related: Hajj 2022: dates, packages, Covid rules and all you need to know

Airports in Dubai are fully prepared and equipped to deal with the Hajj rush, authorities said on Monday.

A special committee of Dubai Police, immigration authorities, customs, health authorities and airlines have made special arrangements to handle the increased number of passengers at all terminals.

There will be dedicated counters at check-in, immigration, and security, while special departure gates have also been set up to accommodate passengers travelling on Hajj flights.

Mohammad Al Marzouqi, head of the Hajj Committee at Dubai Airports, said passengers must arrive at the airport four hours before their scheduled departure to ensure they have adequate time to complete travel procedures.

“We urge all pilgrims to check that they have the required valid documents and ensure they have their passport, Emirates ID, vaccinations cards and Hajj Permit ready before they arrive at the airport," he said.

"As always, we are also arranging some gifts including umbrellas, copies of the holy Quran, and first-aid kits to welcome the Hajjis at DXB.

"It will be an exceptionally busy period at the airport due to the seasonal rush and we want our guests to have the smoothest experience possible."

Hajj is expected to begin on July 7, with Eid Al Adha likely to begin on July 9 in most Islamic countries.

Saudi Arabia is allowing up to 1 million people to perform Hajj this year, welcoming foreign pilgrims for the first time since 2019, after Covid-19 restrictions meant it was limited to the kingdom's residents only.

Emirates is scheduling additional flights to Jeddah and Madinah during the Hajj season.

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 regular scheduled services.

Saudia will operate the first official Hajj flight from Dubai, departing from DXB with a Dubai government delegation for Madinah on June 30.

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.

More than 266,000 pilgrims have already arrived in the holy city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia, figures published by the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday showed.

A total of 215,580 people have landed at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah since Hajj flights started to arrive, while 17,774 pilgrims are thought to have arrived in Saudi Arabia having travelled over land.

Covid-19 rules for Hajj this year

Authorities have set out health requirements that Hajj pilgrims from outside the kingdom have to meet before landing in the country.

During Hajj, pilgrims will have to wear masks when visiting the Two Holy Mosques.

“Pilgrims have been asked to avoid unnecessary social gatherings and travel,” a Hajj organiser told The National.

“Pilgrims will be provided with bedsheets, umbrellas, any other basic necessities once they arrive. They have to maintain social distancing, good hygiene and follow local health guidelines.”

Saudi's General Authority of Civil Aviation has said Hajj passengers must be aged under 65, fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and submit a negative result from a PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before their departure flight.

Muslims leaving for Hajj 2022 – in pictures

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

More than 10,000 Syrians will perform the pilgrimage this year. AFP