Flight Disruptions: Andhra Umrah Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia
A special flight carrying 40 pilgrims from Vijayawada-based New Royal Tours and Travels is scheduled to depart from Jeddah at 10.50pm on Sunday and arrive at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 7am on Monday.
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2026-10-25 19:14 GMT
VIJAYAWADA: Flight disruptions triggered by regional security concerns have left hundreds of Umrah pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh stranded in Saudi Arabia, prompting efforts by the Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) and travel operators to facilitate their safe return.
A special flight carrying 40 pilgrims from Vijayawada-based New Royal Tours and Travels is scheduled to depart from Jeddah at 10.50pm on Sunday and arrive at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 7am on Monday.
APNRTS president Vemuru Ravi Kumar said the organisation was monitoring the safety and well-being of 253 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh. Its members were maintaining regular contact with them and coordinating efforts to ensure their return.
According to APNRTS estimates, around 3,000 Indian Umrah pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia, including approximately 1,500 from AP and Telangana. An estimated 400 to 500 of those affected are from AP, though a district-wise breakdown is not immediately available.
Ravi Kumar said APNRTS was also negotiating with airlines to arrange a charter flight from Dammam to Hyderabad. The issue came to the organisation’s attention after Sk. Mohammed Hussain of Mangalagiri reported that his parents and some relatives, who had left for the pilgrimage on October 6, were stranded. He said assurances that they were being looked after had brought considerable relief to the family.
The travel agency confirmed that arrangements had been made to bring all 40 passengers back on the special flight from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The external affairs ministry, through the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah, is coordinating assistance with airlines and tour operators. Consular support and accommodation are also being provided to affected pilgrims awaiting their return.
BJP’s AP Minority Morcha president Syed Basha has urged Union minister for minority affairs Kiren Rijiju to intervene urgently. Basha sought coordination with the civil aviation ministry to arrange emergency or chartered flights and continued assistance through support desks in Makkah and Jeddah.
He also sought relief from fines for pilgrims whose visas expire because of circumstances beyond their control.
APNRTS president Vemuru Ravi Kumar said the organisation was monitoring the safety and well-being of 253 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh. Its members were maintaining regular contact with them and coordinating efforts to ensure their return.
According to APNRTS estimates, around 3,000 Indian Umrah pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia, including approximately 1,500 from AP and Telangana. An estimated 400 to 500 of those affected are from AP, though a district-wise breakdown is not immediately available.
Ravi Kumar said APNRTS was also negotiating with airlines to arrange a charter flight from Dammam to Hyderabad. The issue came to the organisation’s attention after Sk. Mohammed Hussain of Mangalagiri reported that his parents and some relatives, who had left for the pilgrimage on October 6, were stranded. He said assurances that they were being looked after had brought considerable relief to the family.
The travel agency confirmed that arrangements had been made to bring all 40 passengers back on the special flight from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The external affairs ministry, through the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah, is coordinating assistance with airlines and tour operators. Consular support and accommodation are also being provided to affected pilgrims awaiting their return.
BJP’s AP Minority Morcha president Syed Basha has urged Union minister for minority affairs Kiren Rijiju to intervene urgently. Basha sought coordination with the civil aviation ministry to arrange emergency or chartered flights and continued assistance through support desks in Makkah and Jeddah.
He also sought relief from fines for pilgrims whose visas expire because of circumstances beyond their control.