Hajj 2011: PIA to carry 109,000 pilgrims
The inaugural flights from the major cities will carry a total of 1,737 pilgrims to Jeddah. The pre-Hajj flights from Sialkot and Multan will commence from October 9 and October 13 respectively.
The pre- Hajj operation will be completed by October 31 through 305 flights to Jeddah carrying over 109,000 pilgrims. PIA will undertake ten flights daily.
PIA will operate 78 pre- Hajj flights from Quetta carrying 15,190 pilgrims, 66 flights from Peshawar carrying 19,100 pilgrims, 46 flights each from Islamabad and Lahore will carry about 21,810 pilgrims. PIA will operate 38 flights from Karachi carrying 16,722 pilgrims. While, from Sialkot and Multan PIA will operate 7 and 24 flights respectively, carrying over 3,320 from Sialkot and over 11,378 pilgrims from Multan.
A total of seven aircrafts will be utilized for the Hajj operations which include three Boeing 747s, two Airbus A310s and two Boeing 777s, while two Boeing 747s aircraft are kept on standby for emergency replacement.
PIA spokesperson said that for pilgrims comfort, an integrated Hajj operation has been chalked out in close coordination with Saudi Agencies as well as Pakistani authorities such as Civil Aviation Authority, Airport Security Force, Anti Narcotics Force, Customs and Immigration.
The spokesperson said that PIA along with other stakeholders carried out numerous brainstorming sessions and made travelling arrangements to facilitate the Hajj pilgrims from Pakistan.
The waiting time for the pilgrims before they begin their journey has been reduced to half by eliminating processing at Hajj camps.
Processing of travel documents would be done only once at the airports in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Sialkot and Quetta. Only in Multan, due to ongoing construction at the airport, the Hajj pilgrims will have to reach the Hajj Camp for check-in and baggage acceptance while the processing of their documents will take place at the airport.
PIA has prepared a CD for the Hajj pilgrims, which contains information on PIA policies, correct filing of travel papers and clearance from immigration. The CD also explains the pilgrims the articles they may be allowed to carry in their hand baggage.
PIA's post-Hajj operation will commence from 10 November and conclude on 10 December, PIA spokesperson concluded.
COMMENTS (2)
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Good arrangement has been made by PIA. And hope that Pilgrims will feel comfort before, during and after journey.
PIA planes are in bad shape.