https://arab.news/4xhqq
- A total of 258 flights were used to bring back pilgrims from Saudi Arabia during the post-Hajj phase
- PIA says 96 percent of its flights departed on time, making it better than other airlines with pilgrims
ISLAMABAD: The special Hajj flight operation launched by the government to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims concluded on August 2, as stated in an official statement released by the country’s national airlines on Thursday.
The government makes special arrangements to transport large numbers of local pilgrims between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season on an annual basis, providing them dedicated flights to make it easier for them to perform their spiritual journey.
The first phase of the flight operation was initiated on May 21 and lasted until a few days before the start of the Islamic pilgrimage. Its second phase began soon after the ritual was performed.
“A total of 258 flights were operated in the post-Hajj operation, of these, 136 flights were operated for Jeddah, and 122 flights were operated for Madinah,” Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) informed in its statement.
“The regularity of PIA’s schedule during the Hajj operation was excellent,” it continued, “Ninety-six percent of flights departed on time or slightly ahead of time, which was better than all other airlines involved in the Hajj operation.”
The statement said a total of 61,461 Hajj pilgrims returned home after performing their religious duty via PIA special flights.
It added pilgrims were also provided the facility to check-in before arriving at the airport to make their travel easier.