Pakistan International Airlines has officially begun its post-Hajj flight operation. The first group of pilgrims has returned home safely. The operation started on May 30, marking the beginning of a large-scale repatriation plan for returning Hajj pilgrims.
First Post-Hajj Flight Arrives in Islamabad
According to an airline spokesperson, flight PK-742 landed in Islamabad from Jeddah. The aircraft carried 114 passengers, including returning pilgrims. This arrival marked the formal start of the post-Hajj travel phase for the national carrier.
Meanwhile, airport officials welcomed the pilgrims at Islamabad International Airport. Chief Operating Officer Aftab Gillani received the passengers and presented garlands as a gesture of warm reception. Additionally, Airport Security Force personnel and senior airline officials were also present at the airport.
Additional Flights Scheduled from Saudi Arabia
PIA confirmed that more flights are scheduled in the coming days. Flight PK-732 is set to depart from Jeddah to Lahore. Similarly, Karachi’s first post-Hajj flight, PK-860, will leave Jeddah on May 31 and is expected to arrive at 7:25 pm.
Moreover, the airline has prepared a detailed flight schedule to manage the return of thousands of pilgrims. These flights will operate from both Jeddah and Madinah.
Nationwide Flight Network for Pilgrim Repatriation
The post-Hajj operation will continue until June 30. During this period, PIA will operate flights to multiple cities across Pakistan. These destinations include Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot, and Quetta.
In total, the airline will operate 213 flights under this special operation. These flights are expected to bring more than 53,000 pilgrims back to the country safely and efficiently.
Furthermore, the airline has arranged logistics to handle passenger flow smoothly at all major airports.
Management Oversight and Operational Readiness
PIA stated that all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure smooth operations. The airline emphasized that coordination between ground staff and flight operations remains strong.
In addition, the airline’s chief executive is directly supervising the repatriation process. This oversight aims to ensure safety, efficiency, and timely arrivals throughout the post-Hajj period.
As the operation continues, authorities expect consistent flight movement and coordinated airport management across all hubs.
