Around 125,000 Indian Haj pilgrims have been asked to pay an additional Rs 10,000 in airfare after airlines sought a fare revision due to rising jet fuel prices amid instability in the Middle East. The demand came through an April 28 circular requiring payment by May 15, despite earlier fixed airfare packages ranging between Rs 90,000 and Rs 1.65 lakh depending on the departure city.

Many pilgrims, particularly elderly and low-income families who had saved for years, said the sudden increase disrupted carefully planned budgets. For numerous families, Haj expenses often exceed Rs 4 lakh under the government route, making even a Rs 10,000 hike significant.

Government officials said airlines had initially sought a much steeper increase of over 400 United States dollars per passenger, but negotiations reduced it to 100 United States dollars, or about Rs 10,000. Authorities described the decision as transparent and necessary to prevent greater financial strain and ensure smooth conduct of this year's pilgrimage.

The fare hike has drawn political criticism, with opposition leaders calling it unjust and burdensome. The government maintained that it acted in good faith to contain costs in a volatile global fuel market, noting that airfare subsidies were abolished in 2018 and that the system now operates largely on a cost-recovery basis.