SpiceJet Launches Special Hajj Flights from Five Cities

SpiceJet has launched its Hajj operations by operating special flights from five cities in India. The airline has inducted two wide-body A340 aircraft for this purpose and plans to operate 200 special flights over a span of 15 days carrying over 21,000 pilgrims. These special flights will fly from Bhopal, Gaya, Vijayawada, Aurangabad and Srinagar to Jeddah between June 7 and 22. Return flights from Medina are also scheduled from July 17 to August 2. The budget carrier plans to make this year’s pilgrimage a hassle-free and delightful experience for all Hajj pilgrims. Last year, SpiceJet was the only Indian airline to operate special Hajj flights and ferried around 5,500 pilgrims. SpiceJet has deployed its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for these special flights in addition to the A340. The airline’s Hajj operations are expected to boost religious tourism in India. Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, flagged off SpiceJet’s first Hajj flight from Srinagar on June 7. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet, expressed his excitement for the company’s highest-ever multi-city operation and the first time it will be deploying wide-body aircraft for Hajj. With this move, SpiceJet is set to take the lead in promoting Islamic travel.