Flights for the Hajj pilgrimage began from Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday, with the first group of Hajj pilgrims boarding Saudi Airlines flight SV 3079 to Medina.
A farewell ceremony was held at Terminal 3, attended by Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who welcomed the pilgrims with flower garlands. Also present were Kauser Jahan, Chairperson of the Delhi State Hajj Committee, and Jadi Naif Al Rakkas from the Saudi Embassy in India, along with CPS Bakshi, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Rijiju conveyed good wishes to the pilgrims on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministry. A total of 399 pilgrims, accompanied by two state Hajj inspectors, departed for Medina, where they will stay for eight days before traveling to Mecca.
Flights will run from April 30 to May 30, divided into two phases: the first phase for Medina flights from April 30 to May 15, and the second phase for Jeddah flights from May 16 to May 30. The operation includes 38 flights from Saudi Airlines transporting 16,000 pilgrims from Delhi.
The Delhi State Hajj Committee has arranged air-conditioned Hajj camps at Ram Leela Maidan for accommodation and buses for transport to the airport.
Additionally, facilities for currency exchange to procure Saudi Riyals at competitive rates are available at the Hajj Manzil office.
