Pending refunds: Hyderabad Umrah operators threaten to boycott IndiGo, Air India Express

Hyderabad: Umrah tour operators here have threatened to stop booking tickets with IndiGo and Air India Express if the airlines fail to refund the lakhs of rupees collected from pilgrims whose return journeys were disrupted following the suspension of flights to Jeddah.

The operators said they were facing mounting pressure from hundreds of pilgrims demanding refunds for their unused return tickets. However, despite nearly 20 days having passed since the disruption began, the airlines had not returned the money to the tour operators, leaving them in a difficult position. If the ticket amounts are transferred to the accounts of the consolidated agents, they will be in a position to refund the money to the respective pilgrims, the tour operators said.

The crisis arose following the recent developments in the Middle East, particularly the security situation in Saudi Arabia in the wake of Houthi attacks. In view of the prevailing circumstances, the Government of India suspended the operations of IndiGo and Air India Express flights to Jeddah, leaving nearly 4,000 Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia.

Return tickets were also paid for

The pilgrims had already paid for their return journeys as part of their 15-day Umrah travel packages. However, with the sudden suspension of flights, their travel plans were disrupted. While several pilgrims managed to return to Hyderabad by booking tickets with other airlines, they had to bear additional expenses to arrange their journeys.

Speaking to the media here on Monday, November 2, representatives of the Hyderabad Umrah Organisers (HUO) said the tour operators were caught between the airlines and the pilgrims, with the latter repeatedly approaching them for refunds.

Syed Iftequaruddin Quadri, convener of HUO, said the sudden cancellation of flights had placed the pilgrims in considerable difficulty. He pointed out that airlines were responsible for making alternative arrangements, including accommodation and food, for passengers affected by flight cancellations.

“Whenever flights are suddenly cancelled, it is the responsibility of the airlines to ensure that passengers are provided with accommodation and food until alternative travel arrangements are made. Unfortunately, nothing of this sort was done. Even the Government of India did not take any initiative to address the difficulties faced by the pilgrims,” he said.

‘No help from Centre or airlines’

He maintained that despite the lack of support from the airlines and the government, the Hyderabad-based Umrah tour operators had made every possible effort to ensure that the pilgrims were not abandoned in a foreign country.

“We have done our best to provide all possible facilities to the pilgrims and ensure their safe return. Most of them have already returned to Hyderabad by travelling with other airlines, spending additional money from their own pockets. We stood by them during this difficult period,” Iftequaruddin said.

The operators, however, expressed concern over the continued delay in refunds from IndiGo and Air India Express. They said the money collected for return tickets was still with the airlines, while the tour operators were being held accountable by the pilgrims for the amounts paid.

They warned that if the airlines failed to refund the ticket amounts without further delay, Umrah operators in Hyderabad would seriously consider shifting their future bookings to other airlines. The proposed move, they said, was intended to send a strong message to the airlines about their responsibility towards passengers and travel agents.

HUO seeks Owaisi, Azharuddin intervention

The HUO convener appealed to Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Telangana Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin and the Telangana State Haj Committee to intervene and take up the issue with the concerned authorities and airlines.

He urged them to ensure that the affected pilgrims and tour operators received their refunds at the earliest and that appropriate steps were taken to prevent a recurrence of such problems.

Representatives of several prominent Umrah travel agencies, including Al Noor Tours and Travels, Y.K. Tours and Travels, Akbar Travel Services, Basalama Tours, Al Aza Tours and Manasike Haj Tours, attended the interaction.

Each of the participating tour operators had organised Umrah travel for approximately 40 to 50 pilgrims, and had suffered financial and logistical difficulties following the sudden suspension of flights.

The operators said they expected the airlines to honour their financial obligations and release the pending refunds immediately, bringing relief to the affected pilgrims and travel agencies.

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