PATNA, July 2 -- In a major relief for Haj pilgrims from Bihar, direct Haj flights from Patna to Jeddah and Madinah will resume from 2027, enabling pilgrims to travel to Saudi Arabia without transiting through Kolkata, officials of the minority welfare department said in a statement released on Wednesday. The move marks the return of Haj operations from Patna after more than 15 years. Although Haj flights operated from Patna till 2011, pilgrims had to travel via Kolkata. The new direct service is expected to reduce travel time to around seven hours. Officials said the proximity of the Haj Bhawan to Patna airport would further ease travel and logistics for pilgrims. Gaya airport will also be reinstated as a Haj embarkation point in 2027. Direct Haj flights had operated from Gaya between 2012 and 2025 but were suspended in 2026 due to a decline in passenger numbers. The Haj Committee of India has designated 19 embarkation points for Haj 2027, including Patna and Gaya, along with Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kozhikode, Kochi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Srinagar and Vijayawada. The last date for submitting online applications for Haj 2027 is July 20. Applicants can register through the Haj Committee of India website or the Haj Suvidha mobile app. The Haj Bhawan on Hardinge Road in Patna is also facilitating online application submission and passport-related services. Officials urged intending pilgrims to obtain passports well in advance and opt for Patna as their preferred embarkation point while applying. Under Saudi Arabian guidelines, children below 15 years are not eligible for Haj. Pilgrims aged above 65 years must be accompanied by an attendant at their own expense. Applicants must also possess a passport valid until at least December 31, 2027. Bihar has an annual Haj quota of around 12,000 pilgrims. Officials said the state's quota generally remains under-subscribed, improving the chances of selection for applicants. Selected pilgrims must deposit Rs.1.52 lakh by August 10; details of the final Haj package will be announced separately, the release said....