PIA announces pre-Haj operations from May 9

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced the commencement of its pre-Haj operations, which will run from May 9 till June 10.

The national airline aims to transport approximately 34,000 pilgrims to Hijaz through a total of 170 flights during the stated time period. Among the pilgrims, 19,000 individuals will be part of the government Hajj scheme. The remaining 15,000 will be private pilgrims availing PIA’s services.

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The PIA spokesperson revealed that direct flights to Jeddah and Madinah will be facilitated from eight major cities, including Islamabad and Karachi. This strategy aims to streamline the travel process for pilgrims and “improve their overall experience”.

In addition to facilitating travel arrangements, PIA implemented the “Road to Makkah” plan at Islamabad and Karachi airports for the convenience of pilgrims seeking to perform Haj.

The national carrier also issued a comprehensive guidebook containing detailed instructions on the application process and other essential guidelines pertinent to the Haj journey.

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The PIA has urged pilgrims to register their mobile numbers during the ticket booking process. This ensured that pilgrims received timely updates and information regarding their flights.