THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI SHARAD YADAV)
(a),(b), (c) and (d) : Some of the flights during phase II (return journey) of Haj operations were delayed due to
various reasons. As a result, haj pilgrims had to wait at
Jeddah Haj terminal for Air India flights. The reasons for
delay of the flights are as under:-
(i) The Charter Operator could not sustain the schedule due
to an initial engineering snag;
(ii) Extreme congestion conditions at the Haj Terminal at
Jeddah.
(iii) The directive of Saudi Authorities to use the Haj
Terminal also for the departure of scheduled flights.
(iv) Only four counters were being allocated to Air India
and that too intermittently for about two hours at a time.
(v) The complete contingent of support staff from India
could not be put in position in time because of the delay in
the issuance of visa by the Saudi Authorities.
(vi) A majority of Haj passengers report at the check-in
counter with excess baggage which not only contributes to
the congestion but also slows down the entire process of
checking-in the passengers.
A review of the reasons has been taken and timely advance
action is being undertaken to ensure improvement in
services.
