Emirates is to increase flights from Dubai to Al Medinah al Munawarah in Saudi Arabia to seven flights per week from 31 October 2010 due to the growing importance of economic and cultural ties between the two nations.

The Dubai-based airline currently operates a total of 25 flights per week to the Kingdom. These three new services will bring the number to 28 flights per week as well as increasing additional capacity to the Kingdom by 15 percent.

“Saudi Arabia is an important market for Emirates and our new daily service to Al Medinah al Munawarah is key to our continued growth there. In the last two years we have increased operations to the Kingdom from 17 to 25 weekly flights and we will continue to work closely with the Saudi Authorities to implement additional services,” said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran.

Emirates’ first flight to Al Medinah al Munawarah landed on 2 July 2010, and the service will remain on a temporary schedule until 26 March 2011.

From 31 October the seven weekly flights to Al Medinah al Munawarah will depart Dubai each day at 01:15 to arrive in Al Medinah al Munawarah at 03:15.

On the return journey the flight will depart Al Medinah al Munawarrah at 04:45, arriving in Dubai at 08:15.

Emirates’ currently has four scheduled flights to the city departing on a Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The service is operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, offering 12 seats in First class, 42 seats in Business Class and 183 seats in Economy.