RAWALPINDI: The Haj operation 2022 was set to start with the first PIA flight scheduled to take off from Islamabad International Airport (IIA) with 329 intending pilgrims at 3:30am on Monday (today).

According to the Civil Aviation Division, the second flight from Islamabad under the Road to Makkah operation would depart at 08:30pm.

The first Haj flight (Air Blue) from Multan will depart for Madina at 04:30pm and the first Haj flight (Air Blue) from Lahore will leave for Madina at 1:55pm on Monday.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs will decide later about the need to operate Haj flights from Faisalabad.

All special and government Haj flights from Peshawar have been rerouted from Islamabad, aviation authorities said.

Special arrangements have been made by the authorities concerned to facilitate the Haj pilgrims at the IIA.

Senior officials of Aviation Division and Ministry of Religious Affairs also visited the airport and reviewed the arrangements.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has already finalised its Haj flights schedule with its first flight on June 6.

PIA will operate nearly 331 Haj flights from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta and Multan.

A spokesman for the PIA said the first flight will depart from Islamabad with 329 intending pilgrims for Madina. He said the PIA will transport nearly 15,000 intending pilgrims under the government Haj scheme and 18,000 under private Haj scheme. The pre-Haj flights will conclude on July 3.

Minister for Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique has instructed the PIA officials to provide best services to the pilgrims.

PIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat will supervise the Haj operation.

PIA’s post-Haj operation will commence on July 14 and conclude on August 13.

Pilgrims from Pakistan will be transported to Saudi Arabia by PIA, Serene Air, Air Blue and Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2022