Flight disruption leaves Andhra Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia; 40 will fly back to Hyderabad on October 26

Passengers at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, Hyderabad. A special flight carrying 40 Umrah pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh is scheduled to land in Hyderabad from Jeddah on Monday. File | Photo credit: Nagara Gopal

The Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) is monitoring the welfare of 253 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh who are stranded in Saudi Arabia amid flight disruptions triggered by regional security concerns, even as a special flight carrying 40 pilgrims from Vijayawada-based New Royal Tours and Travels is scheduled to depart on Sunday at 5:00 pm (25, 2026) and arrive to Hyderabad on Monday at 7 am.

According to APNRTS inputs, around 3,000 Indian Umrah pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia, of which around 1,500 are from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. An estimated 400 to 500 of them are from Andhra Pradesh, although a district-wise breakdown is not immediately available.

“APNRTS members are in round-the-clock communication with the 253 identified pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh so far, monitoring their safety and well-being and coordinating efforts to facilitate their return,” said APNRTS President Vemuru Ravi Kumar. He said that the Telugu Society is in talks with airlines to arrange a charter flight from Dammam to Hyderabad, while negotiations on the price are underway.

In an interview with The Hindu, Sk. Mohammed Hussain of Mangalagiri said his parents and several relatives who had gone on a pilgrimage on October 6 were stranded after trouble broke out in the region. He said the news that they were taken care of was a huge relief.

Mohammed Salman, managing director of New Royal Tours and Travels, said a special flight was operated from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport at 10:50 pm IST on Sunday. It was scheduled to land in Hyderabad at 7 am on Monday. “All our 40 passengers are brought back safely,” Mr. Salman told The Hindu.

APNRTS contacted the travel agency after Mr Hussain reported that his parents were among those stranded. The agency informed the organization that arrangements were being made to fly the group back to India on a special flight.

The situation follows the suspension and cancellation of flights due to escalating regional security concerns. According to APNRTS, an estimated 17,000 Indians traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, with the majority already returning. However, several thousand Indians continue to face difficulties in returning home.

The Ministry of External Affairs, through the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah, is coordinating assistance to the affected pilgrims, including liaising with airlines and travel agencies. Consular support and accommodation assistance are also provided to those awaiting return.

BJP Andhra Pradesh Minority Morcha President Syed Basha has written to Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju seeking urgent intervention to facilitate the evacuation of stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims. In his letter to the Union Minister, he sought coordination with the Civil Aviation Ministry for emergency or charter flights, continued assistance through support counters in Makkah and Jeddah and relief from fines for pilgrims who face visa overstay due to circumstances beyond their control.

As several pilgrims face prolonged uncertainty and the possibility of exhausting their personal funds, APNRTS and tour operators continue to work to facilitate their safe return.

Published – 25 Oct 2026 12:25 PM IST