By: Mubashir Alam Wani
Srinagar, May 12: After days of uncertainty caused by heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, which led to the cancellation of seven Hajj flights from May 7 to 12, the pilgrimage flights from Srinagar airport are set to resume from May 14, with two flights scheduled on Wednesday, officials announced.
The Executive Officer of the J&K Haj Committee, Dr Shujhat Qureshi, informed that the flights were temporarily halted due to the prevailing situation. However, with improvements in security and operational conditions, Hajj flight operations are now being restored.
“Flights will operate from May 14, with two flights scheduled that day,” Dr Qureshi said. “Each flight will carry approximately 320 pilgrims.”
This development brings much-needed relief to hundreds of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, who had been anxiously awaiting updates on their travel plans following the suspension of flight operations at Srinagar airport.
Meanwhile, as the flight operations are set to resume, the air travel disruptions amidst the closure of airports have left at least 2,240 Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir stranded, prompting the J&K Haj Committee to consider operating additional flights to clear the backlog.
Executive Officer Haj Committee, Dr Shujhat Qureshi said that while pilgrims scheduled for May 14 and 15 will depart as planned, efforts are underway to accommodate those who were unable to fly earlier due to the situation.
“The ones scheduled will go first. Those who could not go earlier will be accommodated if an additional flight is arranged,” Dr Qureshi said.
The Hajj flight from Srinagar, originally slated for May 7 with 320 pilgrims onboard, was cancelled due to flight disruptions after tension between India and Pakistan escalated. Since then, cancellations continued daily, with the last flight cancellation date on May 12.
Hajj flights to resume tomorrow
