All aboard: Hajj operation to Saudi Arabia nears its end

PESHAWAR:

Hajj flight operations continue at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA), with only a few flights left to carry pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, said airline officials on Wednesday.

According to officials from Shaheen Air International, it has nearly completed its Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia. The last flight scheduled for Saudi Arabia is on September 28. Saudi Airlines officials said only four of its flights are expected to go to Saudi Arabia.

PIA has two flights left for Saudi Arabia and its last flight will take off from BKIA on September 27.

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials revealed the flight operation has been conducted smoothly and passengers were not inconvenienced at BKIA.

Hajj flights started on August 28. At least 47 flights were scheduled to carry over 13,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Shaheen Air would operate 10 flights whereas Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would take 20 flights to Saudi Arabia.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2014.