Srinagar, May 13, 2025 — In a major relief for pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Hajj 2025 flights from Srinagar International Airport will officially resume on Wednesday, May 14, following a six-day suspension due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
The temporary shutdown of flight operations, which began on May 7, was part of a wider airspace closure that affected 32 airports across northern and western India amid security concerns. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) lifted these restrictions on May 12, paving the way for the revival of civilian flights — with special focus on Hajj flights, which were among the most critically impacted.
Hajj 2025 Flight Schedule Resumes from Srinagar
According to Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, Executive Officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee, three Hajj flights will operate on May 14 and 15 as per the original schedule. A revised plan is expected soon for the seven Hajj flights that were cancelled between May 7 and May 12.
This year, 3,622 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir and 242 from Ladakh are scheduled to perform Hajj 2025, a sacred pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. The first batch of 178 pilgrims successfully departed on May 4 before operations were abruptly halted.
SpiceJet to Operate Special Hajj Flights to Medina
Private carrier SpiceJet has confirmed it will resume its Hajj flight operations from Srinagar, using wide-body Airbus A340 aircraft with a seating capacity of 324 passengers per flight. The airline aims to facilitate the smooth travel of nearly 15,500 Hajj pilgrims across India this season.
The flights from Srinagar will fly directly to Medina, ensuring that pilgrims from the region can continue their spiritual journey without further delays.
Political Reactions & Pilgrim Support
Reacting to the resumption of Hajj 2025 flights, the National Conference (NC) welcomed the move and urged authorities to increase the number of flights to compensate for the cancellations caused by the earlier shutdown. NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq stressed the importance of ensuring every pilgrim can fulfill their religious duties on time.
Why Were Hajj Flights Suspended?
The cancellation of Hajj flights and other civil aviation operations came after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 — a strategic airstrike targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
The decision to resume flights was made after the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed no hostile activities were observed along the border since the night of May 11. While some airlines like IndiGo and Air India have delayed services to Srinagar, Hajj-specific flights are now prioritized for immediate operation.
When Is Hajj 2025?
Hajj 2025 is scheduled to take place in June 2025, culminating with Eid-ul-Adha — one of the most significant Islamic festivals. The annual pilgrimage draws over 2 million Muslims from around the world, with Indian pilgrims making up one of the largest contingents.