Spicejet launches India’s first direct flights to Najaf, strengthening religious tourism link, etTravelworld

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Spicejet has launched non-special flights connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad with Najaf, Iraq, and is a major spiritual center and home to the revered shrine of Imam Ali. With this development, Spicejet becomes the only Indian carrier to provide direct connectivity to Najaf, making travel easier for thousands of Indian pilgrims who previously relied on complicated multi-stop routes.

Mumbai to Najaf flights to start on 18 October 2025, 19 October 2025 Services from Ahmedabad starting from 19 October 2025.

Najaf is of great importance in the history of Islam and is considered one of the holiest cities for Muslims in the world. In addition to the Imam Ali Shrine, the destination offers spiritual rich landmarks such as Wadi-Us-Salaam, the world’s largest cemetery; Kufa Mosque, one of the oldest places of worship in Islam; And the Grand Seminary of Najaf, a global center of Shia scholarship. Its proximity to Karbala and Kufa further increases its religious and cultural importance.

While these are introduced as special services, the airline also assesses Najaf’s regulatory clearance potential as a regularly scheduled destination to meet growing demand for year-round faith-based travel.

“For millions of devout Hindus, Najaf is a pilgrimage of a lifetime. Spicejet is proud to be the only Indian airline to offer direct connectivity to this revered city,” he said. “By providing these non-stop flights, we are not just offering a service; we are honoring a sacred journey and providing it with unparalleled comfort and convenience. This special service in Najaf is a testament to our commitment to meet the travel needs of our diverse communities.”

The launch forms part of Spicejet’s continuous expansion strategy, which includes inducting new aircraft to enhance Spicejet’s operational capacity and expand its network. The airline will double its operational fleet and available seat kilometers (Askmir) by 2025 through new route additions, higher frequencies and expanded domestic and international connections.

The move is focused on connecting spicejet niche markets and key international destinations, while strengthening India’s religious tourism ecosystem with Spicejet’s development and passenger convenience.

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