Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has made a representation to AICC President Sonia Gandhi seeking her intervention in restoration of Saudi Airlines flights for the pilgrims of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh during Haj 2015.
Following his representation, Sonia Gandhi referred the matter to Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sahba Ghulam Nabi Azad directing him to make an effective representation with Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju on restoration of Saudi Airlines flight to the pilgrims of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Reacting on the issue, Ghulam Nabi Azad said being a former Civil Aviation Minister himself he is aware of the difficulties faced by the pilgrims due to Air India flights during Haj pilgrimage. He assured that he would make representation to Sushma Swaraj, Gajapathi Raju and also to Air India authorities requesting them to restore Saudi Airlines flights for pilgrims departing from Hyderabad Embarkation Point.
Since the beginning of direct flights from Hyderabad in 2001, the pilgrims of the then undivided State of Andhra Pradesh have been flying to the Holy City of Mecca or Madina through the flights of Saudi Airlines. This continued till Haj 2014 and the pilgrims of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh completed their holy journey through Saudi Airlines flights.
However, this year the Haj Committee of India has reportedly finalised Air India flights for the pilgrims of both the States, which will begin from August 17, 2015. Besides delayed operations, the Haj passengers of Air India face several difficulties at the airports, especially after landing in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Since some special privileges have been given to Saudi Airlines at their airports in the Kingdom, the Haj pilgrims find it convenient and prefer to travel through their flights.
Shabbir Ali expressed confidence that with Ghulam Nabi Azad’s intervention, the Saudi Airlines flights will be restored for the pilgrims of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh during Haj 2015. (INN)