The Ministry of Minority Affairs announced the completion of the first phase (LapI) of air charter operations for the 2025 Haj pilgrimage. Over 120,000 pilgrims are being transported via air charter in two phases (LapI and LapII) from 18 embarkation points across India within a one-month period. LapI departures began on April 29, 2025, from 12 designated airports. Operations from Srinagar were temporarily disrupted due to airspace conditions but have largely resumed; the remaining pilgrims are scheduled to depart by May 31, 2025, during LapII. LapII commenced on May 10, 2025, from 11 embarkation points. The air charter operations involve close coordination with various ministries and organizations to ensure a smooth departure for the pilgrims.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: Indian government ministry responsible for minority affairs.
LapI: First phase of air charter operations for Haj 2025 pilgrimage.
Haj 2025 Pilgrimage: The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the year 2025.
Pilgrims: People undertaking the Haj pilgrimage.
India: The country from which the pilgrims are departing.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - likely the source of the posted information.
18 airports: Number of airports serving as embarkation points for the Haj 2025 pilgrimage.
Embarkation Points: Airports designated for the departure of pilgrims for the Haj pilgrimage; abbreviated as EPs.
1.20 lakh pilgrims: Approximate number of pilgrims being transported via air charter operations.
LapII: Second phase of air charter operations for Haj 2025 pilgrimage.
29.04.2025: Date when departures under LapI commenced.
Ahmedabad: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Bangalore: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Bhopal: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Delhi: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Gaya: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Guwahati: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Hyderabad: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Indore: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Jaipur: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Lucknow: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Mumbai: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
Srinagar: Designated Embarkation Point Airport.
07.05.2025: Date when Air Charter Operations for Haj 2025 for LapI scheduled from Srinagar were affected.
northern India: Region where air travel disruption affected Haj operations.
3,356 pilgrims: Number of pilgrims initially scheduled to depart from Srinagar EP.
1,461 pilgrims: Number of pilgrims who successfully departed from the Srinagar EP.
31.05.2025: Latest date by which remaining pilgrims from Srinagar EP would embark in LapII.
10.05.2025: Date when LapII commenced.
Calicut: Embarkation Point Airport during LapII.
Chennai: Embarkation Point Airport during LapII.
Cochin: Embarkation Point Airport during LapII.
Kannur: Embarkation Point Airport during LapII.
Kolkata: Embarkation Point Airport during LapII.
Nagpur: Embarkation Point Airport during LapII.
SSISA: Likely an acronym for a department or initiative, but context is missing to fully define.
2129665: Release ID for the notification
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Completion of Lap-I air charter operations of Haj-
2025 Pilgrimage: Pilgrims Depart from Multiple
Embarkation Points across India
Posted On: 19 MAY 2025 5:48PM by PIB Delhi
Pilgrims undertaking the Haj pilgrimage for the year 2025 are embarking for the pilgrimage from 18
airports (Embarkation Points or EPs) across the country. For convenience and ease of operations of
transporting more than 1.20 lakh pilgrims over a limited window of one month, air charter operations
are undertaken in two Laps, i.e, Lap-I and Lap-II. Departures under Lap-I commenced on
29.04.2025 from the following designated Embarkation Points (Airports): Ahmedabad, Bangalore,
Bhopal, Delhi, Gaya, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Srinagar.
However, due to changing airspace conditions in the region and disruption of air travel in parts of northern
India, Air Charter Operations for Haj 2025 for Lap-I scheduled from Srinagar from 07.05.2025 were affected.
On attainment of normalisation of air travel in northern India, out of 3,356 pilgrims scheduled to depart from
the Srinagar EP, 1,461 pilgrims have successfully departed while for the remaining pilgrims, flight schedules
are being worked out and the pilgrims would be able to embark latest by 31.05.2025 positively in Lap-II of
Air Charter operations.The first phase of departures (Lap-I) for the pilgrimage have been successfully concluded. Meanwhile, the
second phase, i.e., Lap-II commenced on 10.05.2025 and is currently in progress from the following
Embarkation Points (airports): Ahmedabad, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kolkata,
Mumbai, Nagpur and Srinagar
Air Charter operations are conducted in close coordination with various stakeholder Ministries and
organisations as travellers embark on their spiritual journey, preparing for the sacred rites they will perform.
The collective sense of devotion and anticipation among the pilgrims is palpable, as they embark on this
journey of spiritual fulfillment.
All necessary arrangements are ensured for a smooth and dignified departure of the pilgrims, including
logistical support, medical facilities, and coordination with airport authorities.
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SS/ISA
(Release ID: 2129665)