Pakistan
starts Hajj 2026 flight operations from various cities
The annual Hajj flight operation
officially kicked off in the early hours of Saturday, as the first group of
Pakistani pilgrims departed from Jinnah International Airport, marking the
start of a massive logistics effort to transport 180,000 citizens to Saudi
Arabia.
The inaugural flight, operated by a
private airline, carrying 160 pilgrims, took off at 3:00 AM. In a significant
facilitation effort under the "Road
to Makkah" project, the pilgrims underwent one-time immigration
clearance at Karachi airport, allowing them to bypass lengthy processing upon
arrival in the Kingdom.
Read More PIA
completes preparations for large-scale Hajj 2026 flight operation
PIA
to Launch Large-Scale Operation April 19
Following the private sector’s lead,
the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), is set
to begin its dedicated Hajj operations on Sunday, April 19.
A PIA spokesperson confirmed that
the airline will operate a total of 191 flights to transport over 55,000
pilgrims. The breakdown of passengers includes:
- Government Scheme:
49,000 pilgrims
- Private Groups:
6,000 pilgrims
Key Launch Dates by City:
|
Departure City |
First Flight Date |
Flight Number |
Expected Passengers |
|
Sialkot |
April 19 |
PK-747 |
— |
|
Faisalabad |
April 19 |
PK-4003 |
150+ |
|
Multan |
April 20 |
— |
391 |
|
Islamabad |
April 21 |
PK-713 |
— |
|
Quetta |
April 21 |
— |
300+ |
|
Karachi (PIA) |
April 21 |
PK-743 |
391 |
|
Lahore |
April 24 |
— |
300+ |
Enhanced
Facilities and New Routes
Federal Minister for Religious
Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, announced that all arrangements for the
180,000 total pilgrims have been finalized. Notably, the minister highlighted
that despite global inflation, there is no extra cost for pilgrims this
year.
To streamline travel, the ministry has
introduced a new direct route from Lahore to Saudi Arabia, expanding on
the traditional hubs of Karachi and Islamabad. "Every effort is being made
to provide high-quality arrangements, aiming to make this year’s Hajj an
exemplary experience in terms of management," the minister stated.
Read More Pakistan
signs agreement with Saudi airlines for Hajj flights
Strengthened
Bilateral Coordination
The first flight has already touched
down in Madinah, where pilgrims were received by Saudi authorities and Hajj
service providers. Minister Yousuf reaffirmed the strong ties between Pakistan
and Saudi Arabia, praising the host country’s support in ensuring a safe and
smooth pilgrimage.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs
will maintain close coordination with private Hajj organizers to regulate
catering, transport, and accommodation standards throughout the season.
Source:
Pakistan Today