Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) won an international accolade for best performance in the Haj operations 2012.
A total of 74 airlines ferrying more than 1.7 million Hajis carried out Hajj operations at Jeddah Haj Terminal. General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), King Abdul Aziz International Airport Manager Haj Khaled M. Al-Harbi issued the certificate to PIA and said that “PIA carried 33,250 Hajis on 77 Haj flights and 5,170 on scheduled flights. PIA is considered as one of the best operators based on regularity as well as service points of view which the PIA has demonstrated to overcome the delay factor for initial two days” He hoped that the PIA would continue to serve the Hajis with the same zeal and devotion. The National Flag Carrier had taken a team of 20 journalists hailing from both print and electronic mediums, to enable direct reporting from the Jeddah Haj Terminal regarding its post-Haj operations. The main factor for the delay in departure of flights during post-Haj departures usually is late arrival of Hajis from Makkah by buses in the wake of congestion on the roads from Makkah to Jeddah Haj Terminal. The normal travel time on the route is about an hour but during the initial few days due to rush it takes about five hours to reach the airport. According to Saudi law the Hajis should reach Jeddah Haj Terminal some six hours before flight time. PIA in collaboration with Directorate of Haj Government of Pakistan ensured timely arrival of buses at Jeddah Haj Terminal so that flights could take off on schedule. As many as 450 `Khuddam-i-Haj’ were deployed from the local Pakistani community whereas PIA also utilized services of 50 scouts. PIA Chairman, Lt. Gen. (Retired) Asif Yasin Malik, monitored the process on the first day of departure at the Jeddah Haj Terminal. The post-Haj operations started on October 30 and would continue till November 29. During post Hajj operations 2012; the airline would fly 96,000 Hajis on board 196 flights.
Meanwhile PIA spoeksman Syed Sultan Hassan, said that PIA has flown 39,880 Hajis on board 94 flights on Wednesday.
PIA wins the best Hajj carrier award
