Plans for Hajj: CAA designates domestic lounge for pilgrims
Final arrangements under way as first flight set to depart on August 4
Shahid also said preparations for the inaugural flight were under way, adding the last flight will depart for KSA on September 5. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA) have directed domestic lounge authorities to use the space as a departure lounge for 25,300 pilgrims during Hajj season.
Officials told The Express Tribune CAA has made special arrangements for Hajj operation which commences from August 4. They added since the Hajj directorate is responsible for the transportation of pilgrims, CAA will be facilitating them at the airport only.
Greasing the wheels
CAA Senior Manager at BKIA Latiful Haq said, “The first flight has been scheduled for August 4 and we have made special arrangements which include escorting pilgrims post immigration process to the plane via a special route.”
He also said pilgrims will be inoculated against poliovirus and provided with their health card at the Hajj camp set up by the directorate for Hajj. “We will only receive pilgrims and facilitate their departure and arrival from and to Pakistan.
“Pakistan International Airline (PIA) will operate 16 flights from BKIA, Shaheen Airline will operate 24, AirBlue will operate nine and the remaining flights will be operated by Saudi Airline from the facility,” Haq said.
CAA officials said 14,000 pilgrims will perform Hajj on government quota while the rest will do so through quota allotted for private operators. At least 48 flights [government quota] will be carrying pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) apart from other flights by private airlines.
BKIA Airport Services Deputy Director Muhammad Shahid said additional staff has been selected which will be deputed to facilitate pilgrims and make special arrangements for immigration, seats and special entries. “No, they will not enter the executive lounge, but special arrangements have been chalked out for pilgrims,” Shahid told The Express Tribune.
When asked, Shahid said a final and pre-Hajj meeting has been scheduled for today [Wednesday] where deputy commissioner, capital city police chief, director for Hajj and BKIA manager will discuss the process and make final arrangements.
He also said that pilgrims will arrive by buses and will be dropped within the facility, adding security arrangements will be made by the district administration since pilgrims arrived at BKIA on buses escorted by the police and law-enforcement agencies in the past.
Shahid also said preparations for the inaugural flight were under way, adding the last flight will depart for KSA on September 5.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2016.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA) have directed domestic lounge authorities to use the space as a departure lounge for 25,300 pilgrims during Hajj season.
Officials told The Express Tribune CAA has made special arrangements for Hajj operation which commences from August 4. They added since the Hajj directorate is responsible for the transportation of pilgrims, CAA will be facilitating them at the airport only.
Greasing the wheels
CAA Senior Manager at BKIA Latiful Haq said, “The first flight has been scheduled for August 4 and we have made special arrangements which include escorting pilgrims post immigration process to the plane via a special route.”
He also said pilgrims will be inoculated against poliovirus and provided with their health card at the Hajj camp set up by the directorate for Hajj. “We will only receive pilgrims and facilitate their departure and arrival from and to Pakistan.
“Pakistan International Airline (PIA) will operate 16 flights from BKIA, Shaheen Airline will operate 24, AirBlue will operate nine and the remaining flights will be operated by Saudi Airline from the facility,” Haq said.
CAA officials said 14,000 pilgrims will perform Hajj on government quota while the rest will do so through quota allotted for private operators. At least 48 flights [government quota] will be carrying pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) apart from other flights by private airlines.
BKIA Airport Services Deputy Director Muhammad Shahid said additional staff has been selected which will be deputed to facilitate pilgrims and make special arrangements for immigration, seats and special entries. “No, they will not enter the executive lounge, but special arrangements have been chalked out for pilgrims,” Shahid told The Express Tribune.
When asked, Shahid said a final and pre-Hajj meeting has been scheduled for today [Wednesday] where deputy commissioner, capital city police chief, director for Hajj and BKIA manager will discuss the process and make final arrangements.
He also said that pilgrims will arrive by buses and will be dropped within the facility, adding security arrangements will be made by the district administration since pilgrims arrived at BKIA on buses escorted by the police and law-enforcement agencies in the past.
Shahid also said preparations for the inaugural flight were under way, adding the last flight will depart for KSA on September 5.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2016.