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ATF hike due to Middle East crisis: Haj pilgrims asked to pay additional Rs 10,000

  • Ovaise Gul
  • Comments 0
  • 01 May 2026

23 flights with 142 pilgrims each have departed, final departure on May 5

Srinagar, Apr 30: In the fallout of the ongoing Middle East crisis, Haj pilgrims across India, including Jammu and Kashmir, have been asked to pay an additional Rs 10,000 per pilgrim, according to a formal notification issued by the Haj Committee of India (HCoI), Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.

Chief Executive Officer Shanavas C, in the notification, stated that in view of extraordinary circumstances arising out of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, a one-time revision in airfare for Haj 2026 Air Charter Operations has been approved by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. "The revised airfare entails an additional amount of USD 100 per pilgrim, irrespective of embarkation point, to be borne by the pilgrims," it reads.

The decision has been taken in view of pressing requests from airlines for revision of base fare by more than USD 400 on account of a sharp increase in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices due to the prevailing situation in the Middle East, after due examination of facts and consultation with stakeholders.

All pilgrims of Haj 2026 are required to deposit ₹10,000 towards differential airfare by May 15, 2026. The amount may be deposited either through the e-payment facility available on the Haj Committee website or the Haj Suvidha App using Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking, or through a specified Pay-in-Slip in any branch of State Bank of India or Union Bank of India.

All State and UT Haj Committees have been requested to immediately inform concerned pilgrims and ensure the timely deposit of the required amount.

Executive Officer of the J&K Haj Committee, Dr Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, said the order is applicable for all embarkations, including Jammu and Kashmir, and the decision was taken in view of the rise in ATF prices. Sharing details, he said, over 3,200 Haj pilgrims have so far left for Saudi Arabia to perform the annual pilgrimage. A total of 23 flights carrying an average of 142 pilgrims each have left, with only five flights scheduled to depart. The last flight is scheduled to take off on May 5.

Pertinently, a total of 4,704 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir will perform Haj this year.

 

 

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