PIA commences Hajj operations

Airline to transport more than 60,000 pilgrims

KARACHI: The first Hajj flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) departed on Saturday for the city of Madina.

The first flight, PK-7001 left Karachi for Madina and PK-7003 departed from Islamabad, said a statement released by the airline.

"The airline will transport more than 60,000 intending pilgrims through approximately 250 Hajj and regular scheduled flights to Jeddah and Madina from Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad stations," said PIA.

 



Giving a breakdown of passenger loads from different stations, the national carrier elaborated that it will transport nearly 13,152 pilgrims from Islamabad, 12,456 pilgrims from Lahore, 8,559 from Peshawar, 10,124 from Karachi, 3,787 from Sialkot, 4,903 from Multan and 1,122 pilgrims from Faisalabad.

"More than 2,600 intending pilgrims will be transported from Sukkur and Rahim Yar Khan with onward connections. It includes 40,700 through government Hajj scheme whereas 20,500 through private schemes which include nearly 4,500 intending pilgrims expected from Quetta through private scheme," added the statement.

PIA’s pre-Hajj operation will conclude on August 15 2018. While the post-Hajj operation will commence from August 27 and will conclude on 25 September 2018.