OREANDA-NEWS. Emirates has introduced several initiatives to ensure the well-being and comfort of its customers observing the fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

In keeping with traditions and values of this important religious occasion, Emirates has developed a special Iftar meal service. For flights departing close to Iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims to break their fast after sunset every day during Ramadan, Emirates will provide small snack boxes at the boarding gates of Emirates Terminal 3, while large Iftar meal boxes will be served to passengers in-flight. The large Iftar meal box, designed by Emirates' chefs, will be served in Economy class, with a similar selection served to fasting passengers in both Business Class and First Class.

Additionally, Emirates uses a unique tool to calculate the correct timings for Imsak (the time to commence fasting) and Iftar while in-flight. Emirates developed the tool, an industry-first, in conjunction with the Dubai Astronomy Group. The tool allows Emirates to calculate the exact Ramadan timings using the aircraft's longitude, latitude and altitude; ensuring the greatest level of accuracy possible while onboard. For example, customers who are in-flight when the sun sets will be informed of the Iftar time by the captain. Iftar will be determined based on where the aircraft is located at the time the sun goes down. This new tool was developed to supplement Emirates' annually produced booklet on the timings for Ramadan, available on every flight.

Non-fasting passengers travelling on regular or Umrah flights to Madinah and Jeddah will receive a cold meal instead of the regular hot meal for all flights taking off after sunrise and before sunset, to respect the many Muslim passengers completing Umrah on these flights.

Emirates will provide small snack boxes at the boarding gates of Emirates Terminal 3, while large Iftar meal boxes will be served to passengers in-flight.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Emirates' award-winning ice system will feature special Arabic programming including two new big hits from Khaleejy - Kasr Khawater and Mahol as well as four box sets of the following: Loubat Al Mout, Share' 90, Darb Al Zalag and Abu Al Malayeen. These are in addition to 26 channels of movies, 13 channels of TV programming and the popular classic plays, Qanas Khaytan and Forsan Al Monakh.