Summary PIA is starting direct Hajj flights from Quetta this year for the first time.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will start pre-Hajj operation from Thursday July 4, and it will continue till fifth of the next month.
This was informed at a meeting chaired by Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan in Islamabad on Monday.
The meeting was told that PIA has planned a total of 294 flights for more than 78000 intending pilgrims. The post-Hajj flight operation will take place from August 17 to September 14 this year.
86 flights will reach Madina while 208 flights will go to Jaddah. These flights will provide two way journey to 78258 pilgrims. 13100 pilgrims will use 171 flights of PIA from Islamabad airport while 62 flights from Karachi will take 19700 pilgrims to sacred places. 51 flights from Lahore will facilitate 15562 pilgrims and 29 flights from Peshawar would provide two way journey to 10446 pilgrims.
Moreover, 21 flights from Multan, 17 from Faisalabad and 12 from Sukkur would take pilgrims to perform Hajj rituals.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said it is appreciable that PIA is starting direct Hajj flights from Quetta this year for the first time.
The meeting was also informed that pilgrims would be given gifts and they would be allowed to carry 35 Kg luggage with them.
The minister on the occasion said 10 counters have been established by Saudi Immigration Team at Islamabad Airport under Road to Makkah project. He thanked Saudi government for this facility.
