The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt of India has invited tenders from flight operators in India and Saudi for Haj pillgrims for the year 2025. While the last date of submission of application forms is still November 14 the MoMA has given tentative numbers and defined the two laps and phases in which the trip to and from Saudi is expected to take place.

As per the tender notification the timelines are as follows:

LAP 1: Madinah
Phase 1 (Landing at Madinah):
April 29 till May 15
Phase 2 (Return from Jeddah):
June 12 till July 7break
Approximate Pilgrims: 51,301

LAP 1: Jeddah
Phase 1 (Landing at Jeddah):
May 16 till May 30
Phase 2 (Return from Madinah):
June 21 till 10 July
Approximate Pilgrims: 69,660

The tentative breakdown phase wise and embarkation pointwise of pilgrims is as follows:

*The above dates and numbers are tentative and subject to change on recieving final information on the count from the Haj Committee of India.

The other points mentioned in the tender notice include:

• No more than 3 flights per day from each destination in India.
• Only Indian flight operators  can send bids for Srinagar. Flights from  Srinagar  should be scheduled between 10am till 4pm.
• All Flight operations will be non-stop.
• Aircrafts  deployed  will be less than 20 years old.
• Checked in Baggage will not exceed 40kg (cumulative two pieces) per passenger.
• One 5-Litre can of Zam-Zam per Passenger on each Phase.
• Hand Carry entitlement: 7kg per passenger.
• Cover  Number and Passport  Number should be mentioned on each piece of baggage.
• Excess Luggage  shall be allowed at applicable Cargo rates.
• Passengers travelling on outbound flight will travel  together  in Inbound flight.
• In case of seating capacity issues, Airlines will allow flight transfer without any additional charges.
• Maximum Stay in KSA shall not exceed 45 days except serious medical exigencies.
• Minimum gap of 4 hours between two flights.
• Charter Flights will ferry only Haj Pilgrims.
• Madinah Flights: 60% will arrive in First Week and minimum in last week.
• Jeddah Flights: Fewer pilgrims should arrive in first week of landing in Jeddah.
• Refreshment and Hot meals to passengers will be provided by Airline, and if not then by HCoI and CGI Jeddah.
• Food should be non-spicy and subject to regional tastes (embarkation).
• Meal box will be provided after Security Check-in as well as in-flight.

DISCLAIMER:
The  information provided above is taken from the Tender Notice of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, which is a public document. Udaipur Times bears no liability on the facts presented with respect to the details in the Circular.