UAE national carrier Etihad Airways said it will operate additional flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah during Ramadan mainly to Jeddah.

The extra services will operate until September 12 and build upon the 28 return flights Etihad currently operates every week to the Saudi Arabian destinations of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, said a statement from Etihad.

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 vice president of sales in the UAE said: "The additional flights from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah will cater for the great demand from Umra travellers during 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 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 passengers between 7pm-8pm, to coincide with the evening prayer and the breaking of the fast, it added. 

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 2006 commenced daily flights to Jeddah.-TradeArabia News Service