Karnataka Minister Announces Initiatives to Reinstate Separate Haj Terminal at Mangaluru Airport

Each year, a dedicated terminal is set up at Bengaluru International Airport to facilitate the departure of Haj pilgrims. However, for the past two years, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has not granted similar permission for a dedicated facility at Mangaluru Airport.

Haj is a significant pilgrimage in Islam, drawing thousands of Indian Muslims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, each year. The lack of a designated terminal at Mangaluru Airport has raised concerns among local pilgrims who would benefit from streamlined boarding processes and enhanced services tailored specifically for this important travel period.

Local officials and community leaders have been advocating for the establishment of a dedicated terminal at Mangaluru Airport to improve the experience for Haj pilgrims, citing the airports capacity and existing infrastructure as sufficient to handle the volume during the pilgrimage season. The central government’s decision regarding this issue may impact future arrangements for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage.