Latest news with #Haj2025
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Hans India
Indian Haj pilgrims praise Centre for quality facilities, seamless conduct of holy journey
Riyadh: Indians who embarked on Haj pilgrimage appreciated arrangements and the quality of facilities offered by the Indian government to ensure a smooth and seamless journey for all in Saudi Arabia. "Indian pilgrims who went for Haj 2025 through the Haj Committee of India are very happy with the management of the Government of India and the facilities being provided there. It is the constant endeavour of the Ministry of Minority Affairs to ensure a comfortable and dignified journey for every Haj pilgrim," the Ministry of Minority Affairs posted on X on Saturday. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, on Friday highlighted the dedicated efforts of the Centre in ensuring a smooth and successful Haj for pilgrims. Earlier on Friday, Indian Consul General of Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, led 'Team India' deployed in Haj 2025, in facilitating the movement of pilgrims from Haram Shareef to their accommodations in Azizia (Mecca) after offering Friday prayer. The huge rush of pilgrims coming out from Haram Shareef after offering Friday prayer required coordination among 'Team India' members to guide the pilgrims to their designated bus points and provide on-the-spot required medical care and assistance. Medical care and assistance are being provided to the pilgrims by the mobile medical care team of the Indian Haj Mission. From dispensaries near pilgrims' accommodation to fully equipped hospitals, the Indian Haj Mission has ensured accessible medical care. Additionally, doctors, nurses, and ambulances are made available round-the-clock for any health concerns. On Thursday, Indian Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri reviewed the arrangements for the movement of pilgrims from Mecca and 'Mina' and their stay at 'Arafat' to perform the rituals of Haj. Last week, India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan, met pilgrims in Mecca to ensure a comfortable Haj pilgrimage for all. "Ambassador Suhel Khan visited pilgrims from various states and enquired about their welfare and issues of concern in Mecca today. The Government of India remains committed to ensuring the comfort and safety of the Indian pilgrims and making their spiritual Haj journey hassle-free," the Embassy of India in Riyadh posted on X. The Indian Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri earlier held a review meeting with the officials and staff deployed in temporary branch offices and dispensaries, various cells and desks set up by the Indian Haj Mission.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Naidu asks airlines to restore normal ops from May 15 when air route NOATM ends
NEW DELHI: Union has asked airlines to 'resume normal schedules from Thursday (May 15) across all 32 airports' which were reopened on Monday morning after early six days. Naidu held a meeting with all airlines on Tuesday where he directed them to ramp up operations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The notice to airmen (NOTAM) for temporary closure of 25 segments of air traffic service routes within the Delhi and Mumbai flight information regions is valid till 5.29 am on Thursday. Once this NOTAM lapses, all air routes in the north and west will be available. With all the 32 airports open now, airlines have been asked to restore normal operations then. 'Chaired a review meeting with all airlines and senior officials…. With the NOTAM ending on May 15, I suggested that airlines resume their normal schedules from (then) across all 32 airports for which the NOTAM was issued. All airlines responded positively to this suggestion,' Naidu said on X. Airlines had started resuming flights from Monday itself but drone activity late that night in some cities led to Air India and IndiGo cancelling their flights to the region on Tuesday. These included AI to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot. And IndiGo flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, Amritsar and Rajkot were cancelled on Tuesday and 'will progressively resume' from Wednesday, the airline said. Meanwhile, Air India Express, SpiceJet and others resumed some suspended flights on Tuesday. SpiceJet said it resumed scheduled flights to Srinagar from Tuesday and that Haj flights from Srinagar will start on Wednesday. 'SpiceJet will resume its Haj 2025 operations from Srinagar, operating two flights to Medina using wide-body Airbus A340 aircraft, each accommodating 324 passengers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now SpiceJet is facilitating the travel of about 15,500 Haj pilgrims this year,' the airline said. Air India Express said it resumed Hindon-Bengaluru; Jammu–Delhi; Jammu–Srinagar and Srinagar–Delhi on Tuesday. Hindon-Mumbai is scheduled to resume from Wednesday and 'reinstatement of other flights, including international services from Amritsar, is expected to follow from May 15,' the airline said. Naidu asked if airlines needed any support in restoration of services. 'We have sought exemption from route dispersal guidelines (RDG) for this period as some of the closed airports fell in that category,' said people at the meeting. RDG are meant to ensure air connectivity to remote and underserved regions and mandate airlines allocate a portion of their capacity to routes in specific categories, including those in the North-East, Jammu & Kashmir, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Star Air operated its Hindon-Adampur flight on Tuesday. On landing, the pilot thanked the ATC at the IAF base 'thank you for keeping us safe. On behalf of a grateful nation, please accept our immense gratitude. Jai Hind.' The ATC replied, saying, 'Jai Hind.' Some airlines are going to make inflight announcements expressing the nation's gratitude to our brave armed forces
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SpiceJet to resume Haj flights from Srinagar on May 14 following airport reopening
SpiceJet on Tuesday announced it will resume its from Srinagar starting May 14, with two flights scheduled to depart for Medina. This comes a day after Srinagar airport reopened for civilian flights following a temporary shutdown amid the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'SpiceJet will resume its Haj 2025 operations from Srinagar, operating two flights to Medina using wide-body Airbus A340 aircraft, each accommodating 324 passengers,' the airline said in a statement as quoted by news agency PTI. The carrier is set to facilitate the travel of approximately 15,500 Haj pilgrims this year. Earlier this month, SpiceJet confirmed plans to operate 45 Haj flights in the first phase, connecting Gaya, Srinagar, Guwahati, and Kolkata with destinations in Saudi Arabia, including Medina and Jeddah. In addition to the special Haj services, SpiceJet will also resume its regular scheduled flights to Srinagar starting Tuesday. Haj 2025 is scheduled to take place between June 4 and 9. This year, one in every 18 pilgrims globally will be from India. Saudi Arabia allocates pilgrimage quotas to each country based on the proportion of the Muslim population. The total quota for India in 2025 stands at 1,75,025 pilgrims, making it the third-largest contingent globally, following Indonesia and Pakistan, which have the largest Muslim populations. Out of India's total quota, 1,22,518 seats were allotted to the Haj Committee of India, while 52,507 were designated for private tour operators. However, private tour operators failed to complete the required formalities, such as accommodation bookings, within the set timeline. As a result, their quota was cancelled due to logistical constraints.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gaya to Medina: SpiceJet kicks off Haj 2025 ops with new jets and 18% more pilgrims
SpiceJet has started its Haj 2025 operations with the inaugural flight taking off from Gaya to Medina, beginning this year's pilgrimage. The airline will run a total of 45 flights in the first phase, connecting Gaya, Srinagar, Guwahati, and Kolkata with the Saudi Arabian cities of Medina and Jeddah. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India's Rafale-M deal may turn up the heat on Pakistan China's support for Pakistan may be all talk, no action India brings grounded choppers back in action amid LoC tensions This first phase of operations will continue until May 29, 2025. Flights from Guwahati to Medina are scheduled to begin on May 3, followed by flights from Srinagar to Medina starting on May 4. Services from Kolkata to Jeddah will begin on May 16. The return leg of the Haj operation is planned between June 13 and July 11. SpiceJet will be carrying about 15,500 pilgrims this year, which is an 18% rise from the 13,000 passengers the airline flew for Haj in 2024. The increase highlights the growing importance of Haj operations as a major source of revenue for the airline. In 2024, SpiceJet had operated 102 Haj flights from seven Indian cities — Srinagar, Gaya, Guwahati, Bhopal, Indore, Aurangabad, and Vijayawada — and earned Rs 209 crore in revenue through the operation. To improve the travel experience for pilgrims this year, the airline has added two wide-body Airbus A340 aircraft to its fleet. Each of these planes can carry 324 passengers and will be deployed on the Srinagar–Medina, Guwahati–Medina, and Kolkata–Jeddah routes. A 189-seater Boeing 737 has been assigned to the Gaya–Medina route. Live Events 'It is an honour for SpiceJet to once again play a meaningful role in facilitating the sacred Haj pilgrimage. Every year, we strive to make this journey smoother and more comfortable for thousands of pilgrims. Our continued participation in this important operation reflects our deep commitment to serving communities across the country with care, efficiency, and dedication,' said Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer at SpiceJet.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Kiss My A** Tactic Failed': Putin Aide Mocks Trump's Tariff ‘Blunder' After China Action U-Turn
Canada's latest express entry draw explained: New immigrants wanted, but only via provincesFIIT-JEE chairman, directors booked in Rs 4 crore cheating case after Chennai branch shutsNew study pinpoints blood biomarkers behind long COVID's lung damageWho is Ethan Shaotran? DOGE member who dropped out of Harvard to serve his country, says 'most campus hates me now'CBSE Board Results 2025: Expected date, website link and steps to download marksheet'We can't help you': Delhi HC refuses to recall order directing TMC MP Saket Gokhale to pay Rs 50 lakh damages to ex-diplomatEmail mistake reveals secret plans to end research on Head Start, other child safety net programmesIPL match today, GT vs SRH: Team prediction, head-to-head, Narendra Modi Stadium pitch report, Ahmedabad weather updateSpiceJet flags off Haj 2025 ops, to fly 15.5k pilgrims from Indian cities to MedinaCognizant doubles fresher hiring in 2025; CEO says company plans to hire more graduates to …Malayalam actor Vishnu Prasad passes away; TV celebs pay emotional tributesJaved Akhtar demands strong action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack: "Crackers on the border won't work, it is time for 'aar ya paar"My Hero Academia Vigilantes– Episode 4 challenges Koichi's illegal hero pathCEO of America's largest auto company GM starts a shareholders' letter with thanks to Donald Trump, but a few paragraphs later …Shah Rukh Khan says Bollywood needs 'Cheaper Theatres' to thrivePassport office or fashion show? Guard denies man's entry wearing shorts, sparks online debateWordle hints and answer for May 2: Check clues and answer for puzzle #1413What happened to the villains in Bollywood? Copyright © 2025 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
