SpiceJet kicks off Haj 2025 operations with inaugural flight from Gaya; 45 flights planned in Phase 1
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on May 2, 2025, 11:08 IST
SpiceJet has officially commenced its Haj 2025 operations with the first flight departing from Gaya to Medina, signaling the start of the sacred pilgrimage for thousands of Indian Muslims. The airline plans to operate a total of 45 flights in the first phase, connecting cities including Gaya, Srinagar, Guwahati, and Kolkata to Medina and Jeddah.
To support the scale of operations, SpiceJet has inducted two Airbus A340 wide-body aircraft, each with a capacity of 324 passengers. These jets will serve high-demand routes from Srinagar and Guwahati to Medina, and from Kolkata to Jeddah. The Gaya-Medina route will be served by a 189-seater Boeing 737.
The current phase will run until May 29, 2025, with return operations scheduled between June 13 and July 11, 2025. SpiceJet expects to transport around 15,500 pilgrims this year, marking an 18% increase from the 13,000 carried in 2024. The airline sees Haj operations as a key revenue contributor; last year, it generated Rs 209 crore through 102 flights from seven Indian cities.
Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer at SpiceJet, emphasized the airline's commitment to making the pilgrimage smoother for all passengers. 'Our continued participation in this important operation reflects our deep commitment to serving communities across the country,' he said.
The Haj operations are expected to significantly contribute to the airline's earnings in FY25, especially as SpiceJet continues to diversify and stabilize amid industry headwinds.
Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
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