99 Umrah pilgrims from Nagpur region face uncertainty over return flights from Saudi Arabia

Uncertainty persists over the return of 99 pilgrims who travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah from Nagpur and surrounding areas. Rising tension in the region and disruption to flight services have clouded their plans to return home. The group includes children as young as six and elderly people up to 76, so there is concern that difficulties will mount if their scheduled return is hit.

The pilgrims left Nagpur on Qatar Airways flights on October 6 and 8. They are scheduled to return on IndiGo flights on October 20 and 22. The group includes people from Nagpur, Bhandara and Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh.

According to those handling the travel arrangements, all 99 pilgrims are currently safe and are following their planned itinerary. Even so, regional tension and apprehension over attacks by Houthi rebels are raising fears of disruption to air travel. If flight services are not normal by October 17, arrangements for their travel could become more complicated.

The uncertainty has also affected those who were about to leave. A group of 15 people from Nagpur was to set out for Umrah this week, and their tickets had been booked well in advance. After the attacks, however, Akasa Air cancelled its flight, forcing the group to postpone the trip. The ticket money has reportedly not been refunded so far.

Zahid Anwar said, "For the past eight months, people travelling to Saudi Arabia have been facing difficulties because of the current tension." His remarks make it clear that both travellers and travel operators are grappling with growing uncertainty.

Abdul Arif said that if flight services were not normal by October 17, the situation could become more difficult. He said the Indian Embassy has advised citizens facing travel problems to consider returning through neighbouring Gulf countries such as Qatar or Bahrain, if they obtain the necessary visas.

However, choosing another route could involve additional visa formalities, longer travel time and considerably higher costs, so the option is not easy for some pilgrims.

Mohammed Azhar, owner of Star Haj Umrah Ziyarat Tours in Nagpur, said that in a standard 15-day Umrah package, tour operators usually arrange travel, accommodation and other necessities. The total cost generally works out to between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh per person.

If pilgrims have to stay beyond the scheduled period, they will face a heavy additional burden. Costs of lodging, food, local transport and other daily needs will add up, and booking fresh tickets on another airline could push up the cost further.

According to Azhar, the additional expense will depend on how long the delay lasts and what arrangements have to be made for each traveller. He said tour operators will assess the changing situation before deciding on an alternative return plan, and that the safety of all pilgrims will remain the first priority.

For the 99 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, the biggest worry for now is whether their scheduled flights will operate on time. With children and elderly people in the group, a prolonged disruption could complicate both efforts to bring everyone home safely and the travel arrangements.