Even as private airliner SpiceJet will be handling Hajj operations from Srinagar for the first time ever during forthcoming annual pilgrimage, Divisional Administration, Kashmir, has recently cautioned airport authorities to ensure that Hajj flights scheduled to depart from July 4 are as per scheduled time.
As per an official, in a recent meeting attended bydifferent stakeholders, chaired by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, BaseerAhmed Khan, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been asked to closelyco-ordinate with SpiceJet for flight operations.
The delays in departures and arrivals of many Hajj flightsduring previous years had caused inconvenience to pilgrims while as the peakUmrah season this year was also not spared by delays due to inclement weatherand snowfall. However, authorities say all arrangements have been put in placeto make sure that flights leaving for Makkah and Madina leave as per scheduledtime. “Proper coordination with the airlines must be maintained to avoid eitherdelayed departures or arrivals as was experienced during Hajj 2018,” readminutes of the meeting.
A local representative of SpiceJet wishing anonymity toldGreater Kashmir the airline is expecting to maintain punctuality even though itis for the first time SpiceJet is single-handedly handling the Hajj operationsof almost 11,600 Hajis from Jammu and Kashmir. He said Hajj operations fromIndore and Bhopal led by SpiceJet during last few years were “quite smooth andon-time”.
“In past we operated some Hajj flights from the Valley in2011 but this is for the first time we are handling the operations all byourselves. The fact that SpiceJet now operates flights to Medina and Riyadhfrom various cities in India shows that the airline has grown by leaps andbounds,” the official said. He said there would be 2 daily Hajj flights fromJuly 4-20 after which four daily Hajj flights will depart from Srinagar.
When contacted Hajj officer Muhammad Maqbool told GreaterKashmir it would be for the first time after 4 years that flights of some ofthe intending pilgrims from the Valley shall travel to Makkah while many otherswill be travelling to Medina.
The Hajj officer said in order to ensure that family membersaccompanying Hajis to Hajj House, Srinagar don’t suffer any inconvenience,designated car parking is being set-up outside Bemina Hajj house.
Meanwhile, after facing an inordinate delay, vaccination ofintending Hajjis has kick-started now.