Pre-Hajj Flights Commence With Issued Pilgrimage Guidelines

Two private airlines initiated the extensive pre-Hajj flights operation on Wednesday night, coinciding with the issuance of detailed travel guidelines by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national flag-carrier, for intending pilgrims journeying to the holy land.

Scheduled to commence on Friday, May 10, PIA’s pre-Hajj flights will span a month, encompassing a total of 259 flights to transport over 68,000 pilgrims from various international airports across Pakistan to Jeddah and Madina in Saudi Arabia.

Read more: Lahore Airport Fire Disrupts Initial Hajj Flights

Under the Road to Makkah project, both airlines stated that pilgrims’ immigration processes would occur in Pakistan. The inaugural flight from Karachi, which departed between Wednesday and Friday nights, accommodated 330 pilgrims.

PIA’s guidelines mandate pilgrims to arrive at the airport six hours before their flight, equipped with a smartphone containing the ministry-endorsed app and their vaccination card from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). Prohibited items include nail cutters, scissors, razors, lighters, toys with batteries, matches, power banks, cylinders, emergency lights, lanterns, and inflammable substances.

Passengers are permitted hand luggage weighing 7 kilograms and additional luggage up to 40 kilograms, subject to a $5 per kilogram additional charge for excess weight.

Return Hajj flights require passengers to arrive at Jeddah and Madina airports 10 and 7 hours before departure, respectively, with tardiness risking ticket cancellation. Additional baggage incurs a charge of SAR35 per kilogram, and pilgrims are restricted from carrying Zamzam water, with each receiving a 5-liter bottle at the airport, as per Saudi law.

Meanwhile, pre-Hajj flights from Karachi inaugurated the operation, set to continue until June 10, with return flights starting on June 20. Initial flights prioritize Madina, transitioning to Jeddah between May 24 and June 9, departing from various Pakistani cities.

Additionally, the religious affairs ministry conducted an online meeting to discuss Hajj arrangements, chaired by Religious Affairs Secretary Zulfiqar Haider and attended by Director-General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro. Hajj directors briefed attendees from Makkah, emphasizing the importance of pilgrim feedback and accommodation arrangements in Makkah and Madina for Pakistani pilgrims.