First Haj flight leaves from Karipur

Thursday, September, 29 2011: Marking beginning of this season’s Haj Pilgrimage, a Saudi Airlines flight carrying 300 pilgrims from Kerala was flagged-off by E Ahamed, Union minister of state for external affairs from Karipur International airport today.

Karipur is the embarkation point for the pilgrims from Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Mahe. There will be two flights on the first day. Apart from the 10.45 a.m. flight, Saudi Arabian Airlines will operate another flight at 1.30 p.m.

As per the deal signed with Saudi Arabian Airlines, the airline would have to pay damages for any delay beyond four hours. Last year, flight delay had caused some embarrassment for the Haj committee.

As many as 30 government officials have been deputed for Hajj duty at the camp. Twenty volunteers from the State will accompany the 8,000-odd pilgrims.