Flight Disruptions Leave Hundreds of Andhra Umrah Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia

Flight Disruptions

Hundreds of Umrah pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are stranded in Saudi Arabia following flight suspensions and cancellations caused by regional security concerns. Around 3,000 Indian pilgrims remain stuck in the country, out of an estimated 17,000 who originally travelled for the pilgrimage.

Return Efforts

APNRTS president Vemuru Ravi Kumar stated that the society is monitoring 253 identified pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh and discussing charter flights from Dammam to Hyderabad. A special flight arranged by New Royal Tours and Travels is set to bring back 40 pilgrims, departing Jeddah at 10.50 p.m. on Sunday and landing in Hyderabad at 7 a.m. on Monday.

Official Response

The Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and the Consulate General in Jeddah are coordinating assistance, consular support, and accommodation. Meanwhile, BJP Andhra Pradesh Minority Morcha president Syed Basha wrote to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to request emergency flights and visa overstay relief.

Context

Flight routes in the Middle East can experience sudden suspensions due to regional security tensions, which immediately impacts international travel and religious pilgrimages. State bodies like APNRTS and central diplomatic missions coordinate emergency repatriation efforts when large groups of citizens are stranded abroad.