A Journey of Faith: SpiceJet Connects Indian Pilgrims to Najaf

SpiceJet today announced the launch of special, non-stop flights from Mumbai and Ahmedabad to Najaf, Iraq – one of the holiest cities in the world for Muslims. With this launch, SpiceJet becomes the only Indian airline to operate direct flights to Najaf, offering pilgrims a seamless travel experience that eliminates long journeys and multiple stopovers.

Flights from Mumbai to Najaf will begin on October 18, 2025, while services from Ahmedabad will start on October 19, 2025.

Najaf is one of the most revered sites for Muslims worldwide. Every year, countless Indian pilgrims undertake the journey to Najaf to pay homage at the revered shrine of Imam Ali, seek blessings, and connect with their faith. Until now, pilgrims from India had no choice but to navigate a complex network of connecting flights. SpiceJet’s direct services will now make this sacred journey faster, easier, and far more comfortable.

Beyond Imam Ali’s shrine, Najaf offers a wealth of spiritually enriching sites, including Wadi-us-Salaam, the world’s largest cemetery; the Kufa Mosque, one of the oldest in Islamic history; and the Great Najaf Seminary, a globally respected centre of Shia learning. Its proximity to Karbala and Kufa further enhances its appeal for pilgrims embarking on a transformative journey.

While these are being launched as special flights, SpiceJet is also exploring the possibility of making Najaf a regular, scheduled destination, subject to regulatory approvals, to meet the growing demand for year-round travel.

Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, said, “For millions of devout Indians, Najaf is a pilgrimage of a lifetime. SpiceJet is proud to be the only Indian airline to offer direct connectivity to this revered city. By providing these non-stop flights, we are not just offering a service; we are honouring a sacred journey and making it accessible with unmatched ease and comfort. SpiceJet has always believed in opening new horizons for our passengers. This special service to Najaf is another step in that direction and a testament to our commitment to serving the travel needs of our diverse communities.”

This announcement is in line with SpiceJet’s ongoing expansion strategy which includes induction of new aircraft to boost its operational capacity. With a significantly larger fleet size, SpiceJet aims to foray into new domestic & international destinations. The airline is strategically scaling up its operations this winter and is on track to more than double its operational fleet size and triple its available seat kilometers (ASKM) by introducing new routes, increasing flight frequencies, and adding exciting destinations across its network.

Flight Schedule: