Saudi Arabia Prepares for Eid Al-Fitr Travel Surge
As millions of worshippers and Umrah performers filled the holy month of Ramadan, Saudi Arabia gears up for a wave of travel during Eid Al-Fitr.
Anticipated to result in a significant increase in passengers at key Umrah airports, the spike in travel is already evident in the rise of air travel between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Increasing Demand for Umrah Rituals
With a noticeable surge in flights between the UAE and Saudi Arabia during March, the demand for Umrah rituals during Ramadan has been driving the increase in air travel.
According to statistics from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, flights between the two countries rose by 13.3 percent in March, reaching around 383 weekly flights.
Projected Travel Growth
Matarat Holding, a Saudi aviation management firm, predicts a 25 percent increase in overall travelers this year compared to the previous year, with an estimated 6.6 million passengers.
Executive Vice President of Strategy at Matarat, Khaled Al-Hamash, shared that 500,000 passengers are traveling on Umrah charter flights, while the rest are scheduled flights.
High Travel Demand During Eid Al-Fitr
With last year’s success hosting a significant number of travelers, Saudi Arabia is poised to accommodate even more travelers during this year’s Eid Al-Fitr celebrations.
The impact on traveling during Eid Al-Fitr is expected to be substantial, with a surge in bookings and demand for flights and hotel stays.
Airlines Adapt to Meet Demand
To accommodate the high demand during Eid Al-Fitr, airlines like Saudia are increasing seat capacity and flight frequency, both domestically and internationally.
Saudia has significantly increased the number of seats for international and domestic sectors, providing additional flights to address the growing demand.
Preferred Destinations and Promotional Deals
Destinations like Dubai, Cairo, and European capitals remain favorites among travelers from Saudi Arabia, with an increasing demand for travel to destinations like Turkiye and Thailand.
Saudia is offering a promotional deal with a 25 percent discount for travel between Saudi Arabia, other GCC countries, and Egypt in the hospitality class.
Smooth Operations and Passenger Distribution
Saudi Arabia’s ability to manage crowds and ensure smooth operations during religious events provides reassurance to travelers during Eid Al-Fitr.
Key Umrah airports like Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Madinah’s Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport play a vital role in accommodating the influx of passengers.