First Hajj flight leaves Peshawar for Jeddah

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan International Airlines launched its pre-Hajj operation on Wednesday as the first Hajj flight (PK 2601) – carrying 326 pilgrims – took off from the Bacha International Airport Peshawar for Jeddah, officials revealed.

Pilgrims were brought from the Haji camp via special buses to the airport four hours prior to the flight. Traffic Control Officer Barkat Afridi told The Express Tribune that his team will ensure that flights leave on time. Pilgrims will be informed of any unforeseen circumstances in advance.

The aviation official revealed that the national flag carrier has finalised arrangements for flying over 109,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from seven major cities across the country.

Afridi said that the pre-Hajj operation will be completed on October 31, with 305 flights flying to Jeddah from all the seven international stations—under taking 10 flights on a daily basis.

From Peshawar, PIA will operate 66 flights and carry a total of 19,100 pilgrims to Jeddah.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2012.