PIA post-Hajj operation of bringing back Hujjaj to Pakistan commenced on October 8, with five Hajj flights, three for Lahore and one each for Islamabad and Karachi. The first flight arrived at Lahore on Wednesday night while other flights arrived early hours of Thursday morning.
The Hajjis were seen off by Director Airport Services PIA Aijaz Mazhar, Director Flight Operations Captain Qasim Hayat, Country Manager PIA Shahbaz Ahmed and other officials of the airline at Jeddah Hajj Terminal. Nearly 1,900 Hujjaj reached Pakistan on the first day of Post-Hajj Operation through five Hajj flights.
The first flight PK 3012 reached Lahore at 11:10pm, followed by two flights PK 3202 to Lahore at 2:00am and PK 3418 at 10:30am while the first returning flight PK 3062 for Islamabad arrived at 4:30am. PK 3002 arrived at Jinnah International Airport Karachi at 8:30am. One PIA flight for Karachi and Islamabad faced delay of one-two hours due to severe congestion at Jeddah Hajj terminal while other flights arrived on their expected scheduled time.
PIA Passenger Handling officials and PIA Scouts at Jeddah Hajj terminal are providing services to returning Hajjis at immigration counters ie filling of immigration forms, assistance before security screening and guidance at Jeddah Hajj terminal. However, due to severe congestion because of immigration and security screening at Jeddah Hajj Terminal where more than 50 airlines are operating over 100 Hajj flights in a day, the factor of flight delay occurs which is faced not only by PIA but other airlines as well. This situation usually normalises in a week's time as rush subside.
The Hajjis of return flights for Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi were received and greeted by PIA Senior Officials and were presented rose garlands on their arrival at respective airports. On the second day of post-Hajj operation, six flights will reach Pakistan: PK 3108 for Lahore, PK 3602 for Quetta, PK 3206 & PK 3204 for Islamabad, PK 3004 for Karachi and PK 3502 for Peshawar.
Meanwhile, Chairman PIA Muhammad Ali Gardezi and Managing Director PIA Shahnawaz Rehman have instructed PIA officials at Saudi Arabia to provide best services to returning Hajjis and provide special treatment to all Hajjis at PIA Offices and Jeddah Hajj terminal.-PR