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Mumbai: The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) has directed pilgrims selected for Haj 2026 to deposit an additional Rs 10,000 towards revised airfare, citing the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices.

In a circular issued on Tuesday, April 28, the committee said the Ministry of Minority Affairs had approved a one-time airfare revision for Haj 2026 air charter operations. The revised fare includes an extra charge of USD 100 per pilgrim, regardless of embarkation point.

According to the circular, airlines had sought a base fare increase of more than USD 400 due to higher Aviation Turbine Fuel prices linked to the prevailing regional situation. The committee said the request was examined before the final decision was taken in consultation with stakeholders.

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All Haj 2026 pilgrims have been asked to deposit the additional amount by May 15, 2026.

Payments can be made online through the official Haj Committee website or the Haj Suvidha App using a credit card, debit card or net banking. Pilgrims may also deposit the amount through a specified pay-in-slip at branches of the State Bank of India or the Union Bank of India.

The circular further instructed State and Union Territory Haj Committees to immediately inform pilgrims and ensure the timely payment of the revised airfare.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Hyderabad MP demanded the Haj Committee of India immediately withdraw the circular asking the Haj pilgrims to deposit Rs 10,000 extra due to the present crisis in the Gulf.

Taking to X, Asaduddin Owaisi said the circular came despite collecting Rs 90,844 per pilgrim a couple of months ago from Mumbai Embarkation Point. “This is almost Double the prevalent rates for individual travellers. Are pilgrims being punished for going through the Haj Committee? This is just exploitation and nothing else. Most pilgrims are not wealthy, they save money for years to be able to go to Hajj. This is not a luxury for them. The circular must be withdrawn immediately and the pilgrims must be refunded the money taken from them.”

Update:

This copy has been updated with the reaction of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

April 30, 2026 at 3:42 PM

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