UAE doubles fan flights to Jeddah for Gulf Cup final

The UAE Football Association has doubled the number of special flights taking supporters to Jeddah for the Arabian Gulf Cup 27 final against Saudi Arabia, increasing the allocation from six aircraft to 12 following a surge in demand.

The additional flights were arranged as UAE fans rushed to secure travel options for Tuesday’s highly anticipated final, which will see the UAE face tournament hosts Saudi Arabia at Alinma Stadium at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm Saudi time and 10pm UAE time on October 6.

The UAE Football Association initially planned six special flights for supporters but expanded the arrangement after receiving a strong response from fans wishing to attend the regional football showdown.

The increased capacity is expected to result in a significant UAE travelling support in Jeddah, adding to the atmosphere surrounding one of the Gulf’s biggest football fixtures.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia secured their places in the final after winning their respective semi-final matches in Jeddah on Saturday.

The UAE Football Association has made bookings available for supporters wishing to travel on the dedicated flights, according to an announcement carried by Sharjah News.

The decision to double the number of flights highlights the strong interest in the final, with UAE supporters preparing to travel in large numbers in the hope of seeing the national team claim the Arabian Gulf Cup title.