PIA Pre-Haj Operation will commence from 9 September. The entire Haj operation will be conducted by PIA’s own fleet without leasing any aircraft. This was stated by Managing Director PIA, Muhammad Junaid Yunus while briefing media persons at the airline’s Head Office. Managing Director PIA Muhammad Junaid Yunus said that the airline’s Pre Haj operation will commence from 9thSeptember and conclude on 9th October 2013 while the Post Haj operation will start from 19th October and conclude on 18th November 2013. PIA will operate Haj flights with dedicated 02 Boeing 747, 02 Boeing 777 aircraft with one aircraft each kept as standby. Boeing 777 aircraft will mainly be operated from Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta whereas Lahore, Islamabad, Multan and Sialkot will entirely be operated by Boeing 747 aircraft. Boeing 747 aircraft has a seating capacity of 503 while Boeing 777 has a seating capacity of 329. MD PIA said that PIA will operate Haj flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan and Sialkot. In all, PIA will transport more than 70,000 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia through 160 Pre- Haj flights. PIA will operate same number of flights for Post Haj operation. This year due ongoing construction of extending facilities at Khaana Kaaba the Saudi Government has reduced hajj quota by 20 percent.
