NEW DELHI: AirIndia Express and Air India will operate special Haj flights from Jaipur, Chennai, Calicut and Kannur, carrying nearly 19,000 pilgrims, an Ariline release read on Wednesday.

Notably, Air India, in the first phase, will operate 46 flights from Jaipur and Chennai to Medina and Jeddah, respectively. The first flight was run from Jaipur on May 21 and the services will continue till June 21. Simultaneously, in the 2nd phase, Air India will bring back the pilgrims to Jaipur and Chennai by operating 43 flights from July 3 to August 2.

According to the press release, Air India has 5,871 pilgrims booked to travel from Jaipur on 27 flights and 4,447 pilgrims slated to go from Chennai on 19 flights. From June 4 to June 22, Air India Express will offer flights from Kozhikode and Kannur.

During the initial phase, it will run 13 flights between Kannur and Jeddah carrying 1,873 people and 44 flights from Kozhikode to Jeddah carrying 6,363 passengers.

The pilgrims would be flown from Medina to Kozhikode and Kannur by Air India Express during the second phase, which runs from July 13 to August 2.

Campbell Wilson, the CEO and MD of Air India, expressed his company's happiness at the return of the yearly special flights for the revered Haj pilgrimage.

"Zamzam water will be carried by Air India and Air India Express on the ferry flights back to India. Upon arrival, this will be kept at the four locations they operate in India. Following their return to their home countries, the pilgrims will receive the holy water in its entirety, the release read.

Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it. The pilgrimage takes place during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, specifically from the 8th to the 12th day of that month. Muslims who undertake the Hajj pilgrimage are known as Hajj pilgrims or Hajjis. They have a sincere intention to fulfill their religious obligation and seek closeness to Allah. The pilgrimage is open to both men and women.

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