News
PIA Hajj Operation 2011 completed
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has completed its Hajj Operation 2011 has by bringing over 110,000 Hajjis back to Pakistan.A PIA spokesman said here on Saturday that this year the airline was allotted an exclusive Bay for processing of its flights, which helped in the PIA post hajj operation to become normal on fifth day.
He said that congestion at Jeddah Airport where 80,000 to 100,000 passengers arrive at the same time for their return journey through 74
international carriers causes initial delays in departures of earlier flights.For continuous flow of information and facilitation of Hujjaj, a team of senior officials were deputed whose duty was to remain available among the passengers, electronic flight information display was installed at remote check in area where updated information about
PIA was displayed.The spokesman further maintained that no other airline had installed such flight display monitor.
In order to ensure PIA visibility, all PIA employees working at hajj terminal are wearing fluorescent jackets with marking of PIA HAJJ DUTY.
Hujjaj were guided right from bus arrival area to the boarding area by a group of senior PIA representatives.
Furthermore, PIA scouts equipped with loud speakers made important announcements for passengers’ convenience.
A special team was dedicated for filling 100% immigration cards in order to facilitate Hujjaj through immigration process.
PIA also used metal detectors to pre-screen Hujjaj before the GID security check in order to prevent Hujjaj from unnecessary hassle and
delays at GID security counters.PIA has carried 110,726 Hujjaj through 273 flights to Pakistan.
96,200 Hujjaj were brought back through 266 special Hajj flights from Jeddah. Among these flights 22 flights with 10,884 Hajjis have arrived in Karachi, 19,495 Hajjis have arrived in Lahore through 39 flights,
19,766 Hajjis have flown to Islamabad from Jeddah through 40 flights,
62 flights have carried 18,600 Hajjis to Peshawar, 16,058 Hajjis have
arrived in Quetta through 79 flights, 3503 hajjis transported through
07 flights to Sialkot and 8432 hajjis bring back to Multan through 17
flights.PIA also carried over 14,000 Hajjis on regular scheduled flights and chartered flights to Pakistan, the PIA spokesman concluded. (APP)
Courtesy www.geo.tv