Overview
- The Haj Committee circular, approved Tuesday, April 28, sets a one‑time $100 (about Rs 10,000) airfare surcharge for Haj 2026 with a May 15 payment deadline.
- Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says airlines asked for $300–$400 more per pilgrim due to higher Aviation Turbine Fuel prices, and the government limited the add‑on to $100 to keep flights running.
- AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi call the late fee unfair and seek refunds, while Maharashtra’s State Minorities Commission on Saturday urged withdrawal, deadline relief, and government absorption of the cost.
- Regional officials report elderly pilgrims, including many already in Mecca, struggle to pay online; payments are allowed via the Haj website, the Haj Suvidha app, or SBI and Union Bank branches, and some pilgrims also complain of crowded lodging.
- The change affects a large cohort reported at more than 1.7 lakh Indians this year; ATF often makes up 30–40% of airline costs, private tour operators have raised prices on their own, and Hajj flights from India have already begun.