KOCHI: Cochin international airport is scripting a new record in terms of carrying Umrah pilgrims to Saudi with almost 8000 pilgrims set to travel this month in chartered flights through the airport.
Saudi Airlines introduced chartered flights for the first time this year with the number of bookings by pilgrims shooting up phenomenally. From March 31 to April 28, a total of 23 chartered flights will carry pilgrims to Jeddah.
Saudi Airline is using a Boeing 747 which can carry 450 passengers and Airbus-330 which can carry 300 passengers, for carrying the Umrah pilgrims. Travel agencies are understood to be offering the Umrah package for Rs 68,000, which includes stay and other facilities.
Airport director A. C. K. Nair said that Cochin airport has made extra arrangements to facilitate the smooth travel of Umrah pilgrims in chartered and other flights. Meanwhile, officials are also readying to host the Haj pilgrimage through this airport again this time with Calicut airport still not in a position to facilitate the pilgrimage.
Last time, Air India carried a total of over 6400 pilgrims who availed of the Central subsidy through the airport and this time also the same amount of pilgrims are set to travel to the holy land, apart from other pilgrims who do not avail the subsidy.
Though it is widely rumoured that Saudi Airlines have bagged the Saudi pilgrim service quoting the lowest amount and pipping Air India to the post, Saudi Airline officials refused to confirm and details were also not available on the Ministry of External Affairs website . It is expected to be finalized in two-three days.
