Post-Hajj flights concluded

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) post-Hajj-flight-operation was concluded on Monday. As many as 82,300 pilgrims — under government Hajj scheme — were provided air transport facilities by the national carrier.

Out of 82,300 pilgrims — 21,100 returned to Karachi, 16,700 to Lahore, 15,000 to Islamabad, 4,700 to Multan, 4,400 to Sialkot, 1,750 to Faisalabad, 10,400 to Peshawar, and 8,200 to Quetta.

This year’s statistics for pilgrims traveling from Mecca to Pakistan reported a 25 per cent increase from the number of passengers facilitated last year.

The PIA had commenced operations from eight cities, including Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta from where it had started its maiden Hajj flights.

In addition, passengers from Sukkur and Rahim Yar Khan were also facilitated through connecting flights of Karachi and Lahore. The post-Hajj operations entailed 290 flights from Boeing 777 and A320 aircraft owned by the PIA while around “90 per cent” of the departures were reported on time.

Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan and PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshall (retd) Arshad Malik congratulating all departments of the national carrier have announced accolades for staffers who have demonstrated extraordinary performances.

Special mentions and praises were made for the PIA staff members serving in-flight operations, passenger services, TGS, flight services, IT, Finance, marketing, and engineering.