Hajj 2019: Air India changes policy so pilgrims can bring Zamzam water home

India's national carrier has removed recently introduced restrictions on the transportation of water from Makkah

Pilgrims arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in JEddah, prior to the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in the lifetime of every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. AFP

Early arrivals at Jeddah. AFP

Pilgrims go through passport control. AFP

Pilgrims require a special Hajj visa to enter Saudi Arabia. AFP

Pilgrims go through passport control. AFP

Last year about 1,535 flights carried pilgrims to Saudi airports. AFP

Makkah becomes one of the most densely populated areas in the world during Hajj, with an estimated two million people moving in unison to perform the rituals.

Early arrivals from Bangladesh. AFP

A Kashmiri Muslim pilgrim hugs her relative before leaving for the Hajj pilgrimage in Srinagar, EPA

A Kashmiri man hugs his relative before beginning his Hajj pilgrimage. EPA

Kashmiri Muslim pilgrims leave for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. EPA

Relatives see off pilgrims heading to Makkah in Srinagar. EPA

Relatives see off pilgrims heading to Makkah in Srinagar. EPA

Thai Muslims board a special flight to Makkah from Narathiwat provincial airport in southern Thailand. AFP

Thai Muslims board a special flight to Makkah from Narathiwat provincial airport in southern Thailand. AFP

Relatives send off Thai Muslims heading to Makkah to perform Hajj. AFP

Pilgrims travelling from Jeddah to India on selected Air India flights can bring holy water from Makkah home with them.

Air India took to Twitter to retract previous restrictions put in place to prevent the carrying of Zamzam cans of water on flight numbers AI966 and AI964. The national carrier of India tweeted: “Passengers are allowed to carry Zamzam cans within their permissible baggage allowance. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused.”

The original advisory, which only applied to specific flights between Jeddah and Hyderabad, Mumbai and Cochin, was thought to have been issued over space concerns. The aircraft used to service both of these flight numbers are narrow-body planes.

Passengers travelling on all Air India flights can now travel with Zamzam water providing it fits within permissible baggage allowances, which can vary depending on fare type booked.

What is Zamzam water?

Pilgrims can bring Zamzam water from Makkah on Air India flights after the national carrier retracted restrictions on carrying the water on certain flights. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons / Yousef Madari

Zamzam is the name of a well in Makkah where Allah is said to have brought forth water to give to Ishmael, the son of Abraham.

The water is a popular keepsake for pilgrims returning to their native countries after visiting Makkah for the Hajj. Many believe the water has healing properties.

Other restrictions

India’s Hajj committee has also specified that only official Zamzam cans are allowed onboard aircraft.

These cans must be produced by the project of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and must be wrapped in a plastic cover and travel in the box provided, bearing the logo of the project.

Zamzam water cans that do not comply with the above specifications may not be permitted on flights or on the many buses carrying departing pilgrims from the holy site to airports and hotels.

Makkah’s National Water Company, the custodians of Zamzam water, will this year issue the water in five-litre canisters, rather than the 10-litre containers used in previous years.