As in previous years, CIAL has once again put in place comprehensive measures to facilitate the Hajj pilgrimage. The return journey of Hajj pilgrimage is planned on 16 flights of Saudi Airlines from July 10th to July 27th. The first flight will leave Jeddah at 2.15 am on July 10th and reach Kochi at 10.35 am. 289 passengers will arrive on the first flight. Facilities have been provided to pick up the baggage and take them to the arrival area quickly and provide them with Samsam water after customs clearance. This year, CIAL handled a record number of 4778 Hajj passengers. CIAL’s Hajj Camp 2024, an area of 1 lakh square feet with facilities for rest, prayer and gathering is functioning near CIAL academy. The camp was equipped with beds for 600 people, services of allopathic, ayurvedic and homeopathic doctors, ambulance service, police and fire brigade units and separate check-in, immigration and customs counters. Samsam water is kept in the International Terminal (T3)- Arrival lockrooms to be distributed to those arriving at the airport after the pilgrimage. Once the pilgrims arrive on July 10, these will be made available through special counters after customs inspection. Dedicated counters have been set up for customs and immigration checks specially for Hajj pilgrims. The management of the Hajj pilgrimage has been a successful event overall. In November 2023, CIAL pioneered the establishment of a 5000 sq ft facilitation centre, fully equipped for Sabarimala pilgrims - a first-of-its-kind initiative in an Indian airport. Over a period of three months, the centre served more than 5000 pilgrims.