MUMBAI, JAN, 25: In the run-up to the annual Muslim pilgrimmage to Mecca and Medina, Air-India (A-I) has leased six Lockheed L1011 330 seater aircraft from Kampuchea Airlines to cater to the needs of Haj pilgrims. Around 72,000 pilgrims would be flown to Jeddah between January 27 and April 28 by the airline.The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also allowed Saudi Arabian Airlines to fly 20,500 pilgrims from Mumbai and Kochi to Jeddah during the Haj season. A-I will ferry around 51,500 pilgrims on 168 flights from six cities. In addition, A-I would operate 10 extra flights from Mumbai -- one direct, eight via Kochi and one via Bangalore. In the first phase, pilgrims would be flown between January 27 and February 26. Phase II would see flights for Haj pilgrims between March 9 and April 8.To help ease congestion at the Delhi airport from where 26,000 pilgrims would be flown, the Airports Authority of India has created special facilities at a 3,155-square-metre Haj terminal at the cost of Rs 2.35 crore.To facilitate pilgrims' movement, AAI has set up eight check-in counters, six immigration counters and two customs counters. In addition, an X-ray scanner with three frisking booths and a conveyor belt has been set up for pilgrims in the 675 square-meter security hold area.To avoid foggy conditions at Delhi airport, flights would start between 1100 hours and 1900 hours. A ground handling agent has also been appointed at Jeddah on the recommendation of the local Indian Embassy. Senior officals from various departments of Air-India have also been deputed to Jeddah for better co-ordination, said an Air-India statement.
