Conflict in West Asia hits Umrah pilgrims from Tiruchi district

The recent conflict in West Asia has hit Umrah and Haj tour operators in Tiruchi district, with several pilgrim groups getting stranded in Saudi Arabia due to the cancellation of flights and ancillary services in the aftermath of military action in the region.

Umrah is a non-obligatory ‘lesser pilgrimage’ to the city of Makkah and other holy sites in Saudi Arabia, which can be performed by Muslims any time of the year. Demand for Umrah bookings is high during the month of Ramzan (which began on February 19, 2026), with prices of 15-day pilgrimage packages ranging from ₹75,000 to ₹2 lakh per person.

Iran-Israel war LIVE: Second Iranian ship heading to Sri Lanka after submarine attack

Groups had been departing from Chennai in the first half of Ramzan without any problem initially. However, they had been barred from travel since the airspace closure was announced over the past weekend, said tour operators.

Pilgrims stranded

“Our group of 45 pilgrims that travelled from Tiruchi to Chennai for their onward journey to Saudi Arabia was turned away at the airport due to the conflict in the Gulf countries. Another group that had gone on a 15-day package and was due to return to Chennai by March 2, has been unable to come back after completing the Umrah. We are trying to repatriate our travellers by looking out for alternative safe routes from Qatar and Oman via Kochi. The price of one-way air tickets has shot up during the conflict, between ₹40,000 to ₹1 lakh, due to the rush,” Fazal Ahmed, a tour operator in Tiruchi, told The Hindu.

Due to the cancellation, pilgrims who were due to travel this week have had no choice but to wait at home until conditions are safe. Flight operators may refund tickets or reschedule the dates, but the visa fee of ₹15,000 will not be returned.

“Some of the pilgrim groups are being repatriated through chartered flights from Oman and Qatar. We had sent 19 pilgrims during Ramzan for a month-long package, and a 12-member group for a 15-day plan, which will end on March 9. We are monitoring the welfare of our travellers daily through our local representatives in Makkah, and hope to ensure their safe return soon,” said a travel operator from Nagore.