Hajj 2025: Flight operations at Srinagar International Airport resumed today, May 13, six days after authorities closed the airport due to the escalating crisis between India and Pakistan. Officials expect the first flight to land at Srinagar Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
They also confirmed that Hajj 2025 flights will resume from Srinagar Airport on Wednesday, May 14. On May 4, the first group of 178 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir departed for Saudi Arabia to begin their Hajj 2025 journey to Mecca and Medina. Since then, no flights have operated. Authorities canceled up to seven Hajj 2025 flights that were scheduled to depart on May 7 and May 12.
J&K Haj Committee Response:
Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, the executive officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee, told reporters in Srinagar that Hajj flights from Srinagar will resume as planned on May 14. In a recent media statement, he said, ‘There will be three flights on May 14 and 15 as per schedule, and we will announce a new schedule for the seven flights that were cancelled.’
A total of 242 pilgrims from Ladakh and 3,622 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage. Authorities had scheduled 11 Hajj 2025 flights to operate from Srinagar International Airport between May 4 and May 15.
National Conference Response:
Tanvir Sadiq, MLA from Zadibal and chief spokesperson for the National Conference (NC), praised the return of Hajj flights from Srinagar Airport. In his statement, he emphasized the importance of increasing the number of flights to ensure that pilgrims from J&K can complete all Hajj rituals on time.
After India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, authorities halted flight operations from Srinagar airport on May 7. India initiated the operation in retaliation for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22.
Following confirmation from the Indian Air Force (IAF) that no activity occurred in the border areas overnight between Sunday and Monday. Officials decided to reopen airports and air routes. While most airports resumed operations, some airlines, such as IndiGo and Air India, chose to cancel flights from Srinagar and other locations on May 13.
When is Hajj this Year?
Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam, host the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Muslims perform the pilgrimage during a specific period that concludes with Eid al-Adha.
Based on moon sightings, Hajj is expected to take place this year between June 4 and June 9, 2025, aligning with the beginning of Zil-Hajj. The 12th month of the Islamic calendar. Pilgrims begin their journey to Saudi Arabia from various locations starting at the end of April.
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