Pakistan

PIA begins pre-Hajj 2026 operations for 55,000 pilgrims

Published by

Abdul khalique

2 months ago

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has launched the pre-Hajj Operation 2026, under which more than 55,000 Hajj pilgrims from across the country will be transported through 191 special flights.

The operation will officially begin on April 19. According to a PIA spokesperson, during Hajj Operation 2026, 49,000 pilgrims will be sent to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme, while more than 6,000 will be sent under private Hajj groups.

PIA will operate direct flights from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Quetta for the Hajj operation.

More than 15,400 pilgrims will be transported to Saudi Arabia through 46 flights from Islamabad, more than 15,000 through 55 flights from Karachi, 12,377 through 34 flights from Lahore, 3,680 through 23 flights from Faisalabad, 5,383 through 13 flights from Multan, 2,075 through 5 flights from Sialkot, and 4,487 through 15 flights from Quetta.

The first flight of the Hajj operation, PK 747, will depart from Sialkot for Madinah at 01:55 on April 19, carrying more than 390 pilgrims. On the same day, PK 4003 will depart from Faisalabad for Madinah at 11:05 with more than 150 pilgrims.

The first flight from Multan will take off at 06:35 on April 20 with 391 pilgrims, while the first flight from Islamabad, PK 713, will depart at 11:30 on April 21 with over 300 pilgrims.

The first Hajj flight from Quetta will also depart at 05:45 on April 21, while the inaugural flight from Karachi, PK 743, will depart at 07:15 on April 23, carrying 391 pilgrims. The first flight of the pre-Hajj operation from Lahore will depart at 22:20 on April 24 with over 300 pilgrims.

According to PIA, teams deployed at airports and offices in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will provide complete guidance and facilities to Hajj pilgrims.

The Hajj operation will conclude on May 21, 2026. According to the spokesperson, the CEO of PIA has instructed all teams not to make any mistakes in serving the Hajj pilgrims and to complete all arrangements effectively.

Abdul khalique