MLA alleges bid to phase out Calicut airport as Haj embarkation point
Despite an additional fare of ₹32,000 per ticket, 10,515 pilgrims travelled through the airport for Haj in 2024. However, the number dropped to 5,857 in 2025 with fares being around ₹40,000, higher than those in Kochi and Kannur. For the upcoming Haj season, the number of pilgrims opting for the Calicut airport has drastically dropped to just 632.
'This is part of a bigger plot. The current trend suggests that the authorities are deliberately phasing out the Calicut airport as a Haj embarkation point. It seems their plan will be successful by next year,' said Mr. Ibrahim.
According to Mr. Ibrahim, the Central and State governments and the State Haj Committee are guilty of negligence, which led to the ongoing discrimination against the airport.
Malappuram district has the largest number of pilgrims going to Makkah from Kerala. 'They chose the Calicut airport despite the high fares in the past two years. The coming season, they are renouncing the airport because of the the exorbitant rates,' he said.
The MLA said that the State government and the State Haj Committee did not make effective interventions to put an end to the disparity in charges. 'They are trying to destroy the airport and helping Kannur and Kochi airports grow,' he said.
Mr. Ibrahim dismissed the claim that higher prices were charged at the Calicut airport due to the use of smaller flights. 'The argument is baseless. Currently, the standard flight rates to Saudi Arabia from Kozhikode, Kochi, and Kannur are nearly identical. So, why should Haj flights alone have different rates?' he asked.
'Moreover, private Haj and Umrah groups are utilising the Calicut airport more than others. What is the reason behind this discriminatory treatment?' he asked.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
MLA alleges bid to phase out Calicut airport as Haj embarkation point
T.V. Ibrahim, Kondotty MLA, has raised an allegation of conspiracy to deter passengers from using Calicut International Airport, Karipur. He has claimed that a significant drop in the number of Haj pilgrims opting for Karipur airport due to substantial fare disparities is evidence of the alleged plot. Despite an additional fare of ₹32,000 per ticket, 10,515 pilgrims travelled through the airport for Haj in 2024. However, the number dropped to 5,857 in 2025 with fares being around ₹40,000, higher than those in Kochi and Kannur. For the upcoming Haj season, the number of pilgrims opting for the Calicut airport has drastically dropped to just 632. 'This is part of a bigger plot. The current trend suggests that the authorities are deliberately phasing out the Calicut airport as a Haj embarkation point. It seems their plan will be successful by next year,' said Mr. Ibrahim. According to Mr. Ibrahim, the Central and State governments and the State Haj Committee are guilty of negligence, which led to the ongoing discrimination against the airport. Malappuram district has the largest number of pilgrims going to Makkah from Kerala. 'They chose the Calicut airport despite the high fares in the past two years. The coming season, they are renouncing the airport because of the the exorbitant rates,' he said. The MLA said that the State government and the State Haj Committee did not make effective interventions to put an end to the disparity in charges. 'They are trying to destroy the airport and helping Kannur and Kochi airports grow,' he said. Mr. Ibrahim dismissed the claim that higher prices were charged at the Calicut airport due to the use of smaller flights. 'The argument is baseless. Currently, the standard flight rates to Saudi Arabia from Kozhikode, Kochi, and Kannur are nearly identical. So, why should Haj flights alone have different rates?' he asked. 'Moreover, private Haj and Umrah groups are utilising the Calicut airport more than others. What is the reason behind this discriminatory treatment?' he asked.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
False propaganda is being spread branding AIADMK as anti-minorities, says EPS
Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday alleged that a false propaganda was being spread among minorities that the AIADMK had always acted against their welfare. Addressing a public gathering in Vellore as part of his State-wide tour, Mr. Palaniswami said minorities were being made to believe that they would be unsafe under an AIADMK regime. 'This is not true. During its 31 years of [cumulative] rule since the days of former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, the AIADMK has always protected the interest of minorities and marginalised sections of society. They [minorities] should not believe the false propaganda,' he said. Mr. Palaniswami listed several welfare measures taken by him and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for the welfare of minorities. Under the Jayalalithaa regime, an initiative to distribute free rice to mosques for making nombu kanji (gruel) during the month of Ramzan was launched in 2011, with an allocation of 5,400 tonnes, he said. 'When the Centre stopped extending the grant of ₹6 crore for Haj pilgrims from Tamil Nadu in 2018, the then AIADMK government led by me provided the grant, and even increased it to ₹12 crore in 2021. A permanent accommodation for Haj pilgrims was built in Chennai at a cost of ₹15 crore during AIADMK rule,' he said. In 2015, the then Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, secured around 2.4 lakh crore in foreign direct investment, and signed 98 agreements with multinational companies (MNCs) to provide job opportunities for unemployed educated youth in the State, he said. 'Following in her footsteps, a global investors' meet was organised in Chennai when I was Chief Minister in 2019. I signed 304 agreements with MNCs to get them to set up units and provide jobs in the State. The fruits of our labour are being reaped by the ruling DMK as the youth are getting jobs in these MNCs,' he added.
Time of India
13-08-2025
- Time of India
Karnataka ‘vote chori' row: Ex-Congress leader CM Ibrahim alleges party bought votes in 2018 polls; BJP urges EC probe
At a CLP meeting Tuesday, CM Siddaramaiah asked partymen to effectively present the govt's achievements during the ongoing session and to respond firmly to the opposition's allegations BENGALURU: BJP MP from Karnataka, Lahar Singh Siroya, has written to the chief election commissioner urging him to investigate allegations made by former Congress functionary CM Ibrahim that the party bought votes during the 2018 assembly elections. Ibrahim, once a close associate of Siddaramaiah, claimed that he helped the CM buy 3,000 votes in Badami constituency in 2018, enabling him to win by a small margin. Siroya, in his letter Tuesday, said BJP's B Sreeramulu, who lost to Siddaramaiah in that poll, might have information on how votes were purchased. 'If he speaks, we'll know more on what happened in 2018 when he contested from two seats and would have practically won both if this vote purchase had not happened,' Siroya said. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru Withdraw notice, says Cong Governing Congress, meanwhile, defended Rahul Gandhi's claims of vote theft and argued that the Election Commission of India (ECI) cannot threaten the opposition leader in the Lok Sabha for speaking up on free and fair polls. It urged ECI to withdraw its notice to Rahul demanding proof and an oath. Ramesh Babu, chairman, media and communications department, KPCC, said it was ECI's duty to ensure free and fair elections and safeguard those who raise concerns in good faith. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How AI is redefining the future of work CIO | HP, AMD Undo 'Any act of intimidation, reprisal or threat against such citizens would constitute a violation of basic democratic rights,' Babu said. 'ECI should issue a clarification saying raising doubts on the poll process, when done in good faith, is a legitimate act and not punishable. ' Notice to political parties Chief electoral officer V Anbukumar issued show-cause notices to 10 registered unrecognised political parties that have not contested polls since 2019 but continue to enjoy benefits such as income tax exemption. The parties were asked to submit affidavits from their presidents or general secretaries and appear for a hearing on Sept 1. The ECI has authorised CEOs to hear parties and submit a report. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
