In view of the NOTAM (Notice of Air Tasking) issued to Srinagar Airport and ongoing runway maintenance resulting in temporary restrictions on the length of the runway, load restrictions have been imposed on aircraft operations in the interest of aviation safety, according to the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
To avoid disruption to Hajj flight schedules and minimize inconvenience to pilgrims, a return flight for Hajj pilgrims operated by Acasa Airlines to the starting point of Srinagar via Ahmedabad has been planned with a baggage allowance of up to 35 kg up to Ahmedabad.
Thereafter, 5 kg of baggage per pilgrim will be transported on the Ahmedabad-Srinagar flight, while the remaining 30 kg of baggage will be transported separately by road to Srinagar. There is no change in the weight of baggage allowed on board.
These arrangements were only necessary due to the airport’s operational limitations and aviation safety requirements. The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Hajj Commission of India and Jammu and Kashmir State Hajj Commission are continuously coordinating with all stakeholders to ensure a safe, smooth and dignified return of pilgrims.
The Ministry stressed that safety cannot be compromised, and that all decisions were taken in the best interests of pilgrims.
Meanwhile, an Acasa Air flight from Bengaluru to Bhubaneswar on Thursday was diverted to Lucknow on Wednesday due to adverse weather conditions that were not suitable for landing, and it later landed safely at its destination.
According to an Acasa Airlines spokesperson, the flight followed all standard safety protocols during the diversion.
“Acasa Air flight QP 1503 which was operating from Bengaluru to Bhubaneswar on 27 May 2026 was diverted to Lucknow due to adverse weather conditions, which were not conducive to landing. The pilot followed all applicable operational and safety protocols in line with standard procedures,” the spokesperson said.
The airline also informed that the flight later resumed its flight and landed safely at its destination early the next day.
“The flight then departed from Lucknow and landed safely in Bhubaneswar at 00:02 on May 28, 2026,” it added.
Emphasizing the safety of passengers, the airline said that the well-being of passengers and cabin crew remains its top priority.
“At Akasa Air, the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remains our top priority. We regret the inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond our control and appreciate our passengers’ understanding,” the spokesperson said.
