Private Hajj &Umrah operators of Kashmir Wednesday demanded that direct international flights from Srinagar airport should be made operational for the convenience of the pilgrims.
They said in order to avoid various problems faced by thepilgrims and the operators while flying via New Delhi airport, direct flightsfrom Srinagar airport to Saudi Arabia should be made operational.
Private operates said this during a press conference onWednesday at Srinagar under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Association of Hajj&Umrah Companies (JKAHUC).
JKAHUC said that need of Hajj quota and consular servicesare vital for them given the huge flow of pilgrims from the state.
Due to the inclement weather various international flightswere cancelled and pilgrims also faced lots of problems by travelling viaDelhi, members of the association said.
JKAHUC said around 30,000 pilgrims visited holy cities ofMakah and Medina last year and this year the target will touch 50,000 anddemanded cooperation from the state and centre governments so that pilgrims donot have to suffer.
Even if authorities canmake international flight to Saudi operational once in a week to begin with,the members said they will manage and make sure that airlines will have fullbookings, it said.
Hajj and Umrah operators on the occasion said that due toissues of flight cancellation many pilgrims got stuck at Delhi airport and hadto pay hefty sums for their lodgings for days which inflicts heavy losses.
JKAHUC which is an amalgam of around 100 Hajj &Umrahoperators also dwelled upon their achievements and future plans during thepress conference.
On the occasion, JKAHUCalso facilitated a member for becoming first Saudi Embassy registered Hajj&Umrah operator from Anantnag.
JKAHUC said that more such operators will become registeredwhich will make the process smooth and will help the pilgrims and companiesequally.
