The PIA has so far operated 25 post-hajj flights bringing back more than 12,000 pilgrims from Jeddah to Pakistan through Hajj flights and regular scheduled flights, a PIA spokesman said on Sunday.
The PIA has operated five flights to Karachi carrying 1,600 pilgrims, nine flights to Lahore carrying 4,000 pilgrims, five flights to Islamabad carrying 2,150 pilgrims, three flights to Peshawar carrying 1,100 pilgrims and three flights to Quetta bringing back 1,100 pilgrims respectively.
Despite the congestion at Jeddah Hajj terminal, the PIA is the only airline whose aircraft leave Jeddah within the shortest span of time as compared to other airlines and more than 80 per cent of PIA hajj flights are departing on time.
The PIA officials and scouts deputed at Jeddah Hajj terminal are providing assistance to the pilgrims such as filling of immigration forms and guidance at Jeddah Hajj terminal. It is expected that the congestion at Jeddah Hajj terminal will subside in the coming days where more than 50 airlines are operating 100 hajj flights in a day.
Meanwhile, PIA Chairman Muhammad Ali Gardezi and PIA Managing Director Shahnawaz Rehman has directed the PIA officials to provide best services to the returning pilgrims, the spokesman concluded.