Haj operations from Mangalore to start from September 7

MANGALORE: Haj operations from Mangalore International Airport (MIA) at Kenjar near here are scheduled to commence from September 7 and Haj departures will run up to September 9. This is the fifth year of operation from Mangalore. The arrival of Pilgrims will start on October 20 and the last flight is come on October 24. It is expected that each day 220 passengers will depart or arrive at MIA. The old terminal building of the air port will be utilized for the departure of Haj pilgrims. As last year, Air India is operating an A-310 aircraft this year as well. J T Radhakrishna, airport director, MIA said a meeting was held at the airport on August 3. The meeting was attended by U T Khader, minister for health and family welfare and B A Mohiuddin Bava, Mangalore City North MLA and discussed about modalities and arrangements about the departure and arrival of the pilgrims. Mohiuddin Bava had recently informed reporters that efforts were to construct a Haj Ghar for the benefit of devotees near MIA to facilitate them undertake pre-haj rituals. (KMN)