Calicut International Airport at Karipur witnessed the take-off of the State’s first women-only Haj flight on Thursday. Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs John Barla flagged off the flight.
Air India Express flight IX 3025 left Karipur at 6.45 p.m. carrying 145 women pilgrims and six women crew. It was the first flight from the State for women pilgrims without mehram or a male companion.
The Minister gave the boarding pass to 76-year-old Sulaikha Karthikappalli from Kozhikode, who was the eldest pilgrim of the group. Requesting the pilgrims to pray for the country’s safety and security as well as progress, Mr. Barla said the women-only flight marked a glorious step for women empowerment in the country.
