The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), in a clarification, said that due to a Notice to Air Missions or Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued for Srinagar Airport and ongoing runway maintenance resulting in temporary runway length restrictions, payload limitations have been imposed on aircraft operations in the interest of flight safety.
“To avoid disruption to Haj flight schedules and minimize inconvenience to pilgrims, the return journey of Haj pilgrims operated by Akasa airlines to the Srinagar Embarkation Point has been planned via Ahmedabad with 35 kg check-in baggage allowance up to Ahmedabad. Thereafter, 5 kg check-in baggage per pilgrim will be carried on the Ahmedabad–Srinagar flight, while the remaining 30 kg baggage will be transported separately by road to Srinagar. There is no change in the cabin baggage allowance,” the Ministry said in a post on X.
Furthermore, it has been stated that these arrangements have been necessitated solely by airport operational constraints and aviation safety requirements.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Haj Committee of India and J&K State Haj Committee are in constant coordination with all stakeholders to ensure the safe, smooth and dignified return of pilgrims, it reads, adding that safety cannot be compromised, and all decisions have been taken in the best interests of the pilgrims.
A notice issued by the J&K Haj Committee (JKHC) had mentioned that the pilgrims will be allowed to carry 7 kg shoulder bags and 5 kg check-in bags only from Ahmedabad embarkation to Srinagar International Airport.
It said that the luggage and bags weighing over 5 kg will be shifted from Ahmedabad to Srinagar through road only, citing runway maintenance at Srinagar International Airport.
