ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has so far airlifted 28,700 intending pilgrims for Hajj 2014 to Saudi Arabia through 80 special flights with overall flight punctuality of over 90 percent since start of pre-Hajj operation.
According to a spokesman here on Friday, the national flag carrier transported 3,479 intending pilgrims from Karachi to Saudi Arabia through 11 flights, 5,190 from Lahore through 12 flights, 4,787 from Islamabad through 10 flights, 5,811 from Quetta with 19 flights and 5,745 intending pilgrims from Peshawar through 18 flights, 2,289 from Multan with 07 flights and 1,498 intending pilgrims from Sialkot with 03 flights to Saudi Arabia.
The airline's Pre-Hajj operation of transporting intending Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will conclude on September 28,2014.
According to an official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony here, the intending pilgrims have been informed about rules and regulations through print and electronic media and pamphlets.
The government is facilitating the pilgrims by arranging accommodation, food and transport.
The government has hired various Saudi companies which were providing quality food and round the clock transport to help pilgrims offer prayers in Haram Sharif, he added.
He said 432 paramedical staff have been dispatched to Saudi Arabia to provide free medical facilities.
The Ministry has setup a special helpline to facilitate intending Hajj pilgrims to register their complaints round the clock.
The pilgrims could call on 042-111-725-425; 0092-42-35880054; 800-1166622 to inquire about the arrangements made for them in Saudi Arabia.
He said pilgrims could also give suggestions on the given numbers. Pilgrims going under the government scheme could also see flight schedule on www.hajjinfo.org.They could see more details by visiting http://www.hajjinfo.org/hajj.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) informed that this year, the PIA will airlift 55,000 intending pilgrims to holy land through its special Hajj flights.
Saudi Airlines, Shaheen Air, Air Blue, Air Arabia and other Middle East based airlines will airlift about 70,000 intending pilgrims at their regular flights along with other international bound passengers.
About 28,072 passengers will depart from Islamabad airport by 14 special Hajj flights of PIA and other airlines to the sacred land.
He said about 60% passengers are being sent through Hajj tour operators and remaining about 40% passengers under regular Hajj scheme.
This year, intending pilgrims will depart by the regular flights also, therefore 24 hours operation will continue at the airport.
A team of CAA staff, is supervising the Hajj operation in shifts on round the clock basis and is extending all efforts to facilitate the intending pilgrims in proper and befitting manner. Separate place for prayer and wearing of Ahram has been made available.
Announcement and video films regarding hajj are aired and shown to provide basic information of Manasak-e-Hajj.
The PIA scouts and staff of Ministry of Religious Affairs are also available to guide and facilitate the passenger leading to sacred land.
Medical team equipped with first aid and ambulance, doctors and para medics are available.
The concerned airlines have been directed to remain in touch with passenger in case of delay of Hajj flight through phone and sms in order to avoid waiting and inconvenience to the intending pilgrims.
The CAA flight inquiry 114 updates the information of Hajj flights efficiently.
The official has requested the general public to visit airport specially during the Hajj operation in minimum numbers in order to avoid congestions/security concerns.
The visitors and their vehicles will undergo through all security checks and heavy vehicles are not allowed to enter the airport premises.
Comments
Comments are closed.