JEDDAH, 20 February 2004 — Pakistan International Airlines has completed one-third of its Haj operation, carrying over 36,000 pilgrims back to Pakistan.
The airline has operated 117 flights since Feb. 5. PIA has been operating two flights daily each to Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta from the Haj Terminal at King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah.
Only four out of 117 flights were delayed. The first two flights were delayed due to late arrival of Hajis from Makkah on the first day of the operation and the other two were delayed due to minor technical problems, which were rectified immediately and the aircraft operated with not more than an hour’s delay in each case.
PIA expects to complete its Haj operation by March 7 and is expected to carry over 110,000 Hajis to Pakistan. The total number of flights planned this year is 314, as against 309 flights last year.
