JEDDAH, 27 October 2003 — Pakistan International Airlines will be introducing a new boarding system from the month of Ramadan for the convenience of Umrah pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.
Under the procedure, all Umrah tour operators/agents will obtain pre-boarding coupons from the PIA offices in Jeddah, Makkah or Madinah for their passengers at the time of reconfirmation, which will ensure passengers have confirmed reservations on PIA flights to Pakistan.
Passengers will only be required to obtain a boarding card at the departure counter in the Haj Terminal or the North Terminal at KAIA in exchange for the coupons obtained from the PIA offices.
Previously pilgrims often had to wait at the airport, especially when waitlisted or holding open-dated tickets, or arrived at the airport unaware that they had no confirmed reservation.
During the first 15 days of Ramadan, PIA offices will only be issuing pre-boarding coupons which will be attached to the ticket.
Passengers may not be able to obtain seats if they report directly at the airport.