The Ministry of Minority Affairs has officially removed Gaya International Airport as an embarkation point for Hajj 2026. This decision breaks a 15-year tradition of operating Haj flights from Gaya. The government made this move after finding that fewer than 100 pilgrims selected Gaya as their departure point, making it economically impossible to arrange special charter flights. Consequently, the 2,556 pilgrims selected from Bihar will now have to travel through alternate airports, with most being shifted to Delhi and Kolkata.
Why was Gaya Airport cancelled for Hajj 2026?
The primary reason for canceling the Gaya embarkation point is the extremely low passenger count. Out of the thousands selected from Bihar, less than 100 people opted for Gaya as their first choice. This low demand made it unviable for airlines like SpiceJet to operate dedicated flights.
Another major factor was the high cost of tickets. Flying from Gaya was significantly more expensive than other major airports. For the 2026 season, the airfare from Gaya was estimated at roughly ₹4,01,113. In comparison, the fare from Delhi was fixed at ₹3,26,113. This difference of nearly ₹75,000 encouraged most pilgrims to choose Delhi or Kolkata over Gaya to save money.
What is the flight schedule for Bihar pilgrims?
Even though the departure point has changed, the schedule remains fixed. The travel for Hajj 2026 will happen in two phases. The first group of pilgrims will depart between April 18 and May 4, traveling directly to Medina. The second phase will operate from May 5 to May 19, with flights heading to Jeddah.
Pilgrims from Bihar have been reallocated to their second-choice airports. The majority, around 1,383 pilgrims, will fly from Delhi. Others have been assigned to Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Hyderabad based on availability. The return flights to India are scheduled to begin from May 30 and will continue until June 30.
How many pilgrims are traveling from Bihar?
This year, a total of 2,556 pilgrims from Bihar are set to perform Hajj. This group consists of 1,466 men and 1,090 women. The State Haj Committee is currently finalizing arrangements, including mandatory medical screenings and the distribution of smartwatches for location tracking.
District-wise Pilgrim Statistics:
| District | Number of Pilgrims |
|---|---|
| Patna | 333 |
| Sheikhpura | 9 |
| Arwal | 7 |
| Madhepura | 6 |
| Sheohar | 2 |
Officials have confirmed that 17 State Haj Inspectors will accompany the pilgrims to assist them during the journey. Training sessions are currently being wrapped up to ensure everyone is prepared for the new travel routes and regulations.
