Mangaluru: Flight cancellations and disruptions in Saudi Arabia have forced umrah pilgrims from Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Kasaragod to take longer and more expensive routes home, with several travelling by road to Doha before flying to India.With limited seat availability and soaring fares, pilgrims have been exploring alternative airports, including Bengaluru, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kochi. Direct flights from Doha to Mangaluru are also limited, adding to their difficulties.The disruptions followed an aerial attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Oct 10, triggering wider aviation disruptions in the region. According to reports, major Indian carriers extended the suspension of flights to Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh and Medina until Oct 24.Fazal, who returned to Mangaluru on Tuesday with his mother, wife and children, said the journey had been difficult. “Many pilgrims are yet to return,” he said.Riyaz of Hosangadi took a longer route to Bengaluru and missed two days of work. Reports of airport strikes had left his relatives worried until he reached Bengaluru on Tuesday, he said.Another pilgrim from Kuthar said Saudi-based airlines were charging nearly three times their usual fare, while alternative flight options remained limited.Usman Saadi Pattori, vice-president of the Dakshina Kannada Hajj and Umrah Private Tour Organisers Association, said the association had appealed to airlines, the Union and state govts, and the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner to arrange additional flights. “No additional flights have been announced so far. Cancellations and delays have been reported until Oct 27,” he said.Pattori said agents were spending around Rs 1 lakh daily on food and accommodation for nearly 70 pilgrims stranded beyond their 15-day packages, including those unable to pay the additional costs.General secretary Zakeer Ikhlas said pilgrims were being brought back in batches, with agents providing food and accommodation. Those on individual visas had to arrange their own return tickets, now costing Rs 60,000-Rs 70,000.Ikhlas added that 101 passengers had returned on Tuesday and Wednesday, while around 70 more were expected to reach Kozhikode and Kannur via Qatar on Thursday. Elderly pilgrims could face difficulties if their medicines ran out during the prolonged stay, he said.Ihtheesham, managing director of Flytech Travel and Tourism, said travelling by road from Mecca or Medina to Doha took around 18 hours. Additional arrangements for a group could cost between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4 lakh, he said.Mangaluru has direct Air India Express services to Jeddah and Dammam, while IndiGo offers connecting services to Saudi Arabia through other Indian cities. Agents said Kozhikode and Bengaluru offered more flight options and urged authorities to arrange additional services to Mangaluru. Fares to Mangaluru were considerably higher than those to Kozhikode, an agent said.The disruption has also affected future bookings. Asif Azhari of Jisthiya Hajj and Umrah Services, Mudipu, said his agency had cancelled an Oct 14 package despite having paid for arrangements and secured visas.
