PIA reduces fares for Karachi to Jeddah and Madinah flights by 30 percent

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reduced fares for its flights from Karachi to the Saudi cities of Jeddah and Madinah by 30 percent, a PIA spokesperson said on Monday.
After the reduction, a one-way ticket from Karachi to Jeddah or Madinah will cost Rs56,000 ($201), including tax, according to the PIA spokesperson.
A return ticket from Karachi to any of the two Saudi cities will cost Rs88,000 ($316), inclusive of tax. The new fares have already taken effect.
“Discounted fare tickets can be issued till August 31,” the spokesperson said. “Travel on discounted fare is limited till September 30.”
The announcement comes amid an ongoing Umrah season, which began in July. Umrah is a voluntary Islamic pilgrimage to the Islamic sites in Saudi Arabia. A shorter version of the Hajj, it is voluntary and can be performed throughout the year.
Thousands of Pakistanis travel to Saudi Arabia each month to visit the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah for the Umrah pilgrimage.
Last month, Pakistan’s national flag carrier announced direct Umrah flights to Jeddah from the Pakistani cities of Quetta and Faisalabad in a bid to facilitate pilgrims. The flights began on August 6.