Chennai-Saudi direct flight service launched

Chennai, December 28: In a significant development, a direct flight service from Chennai to Saudi Arabia was inaugurated yesterday, addressing a longstanding need in the region. Until now, there was no direct flight connecting Chennai to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, causing inconvenience to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as well as individuals traveling for work.

The issue had garnered attention, leading to a formal request made to Prime Minister Modi on behalf of the Indian Haj Association. Responding to this request, permission was granted to operate direct flights from Chennai to Saudi Arabia. The inaugural flight took off at 9:30 pm yesterday, marking a historic moment for the region.

The first flight witnessed more than 300 passengers, including individuals embarking on Umrah journeys and those traveling for employment opportunities. Abu Bakr, the President of the Hajj Association of India, warmly welcomed the pilgrims, emphasizing the positive impact this new flight service would have on the community.

Abu Bakr, who personally traveled to Jeddah on the inaugural flight, expressed his gratitude, saying, “On behalf of the Indian Haj Association, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Prime Minister Modi for promptly addressing our request and facilitating this crucial flight service. Initially, the flights will operate twice a week, with the potential for increased frequency based on passenger demand.”

This development is expected to significantly ease the travel woes of individuals undertaking religious pilgrimages and seeking work opportunities in Saudi Arabia. The newly established direct flight service is seen as a positive step toward enhancing connectivity and facilitating smoother journeys for the residents of Chennai and beyond.