News
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Saudi Arabia permits PIA to set up briefing desksKARACHI: Saudi authorities have given special permission to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for establishing ‘briefing desk’ outside the King Abdulaziz International Airport for stuck-up Pakistani passengers who had arrived in Saudi Arabia for Umrah during Ramazan. PIA Public Affairs General Manager Sultan Hasan told Daily Times that the national flag carrier established the briefing desk and passengers were started providing immigration and other facilities outside the Riyadh airport terminal on Monday for swift clearance. He further said, “The Saudi authorities permitted the PIA to set up the desk as a ‘special case’ while there are so many airlines operating Umrah flights from Riyadh airport but PIA is the only airline that have the permission for such facility.” Sultan said the Riyadh airport was not capable of catering a huge passenger influx as three million passengers had to take flight from the Riyadh airport after conclusion of Umrah. Since September 1, the PIA is transporting about 3,500-4,000 passengers daily from its seven aircrafts, of these two Boeing 777 and five 747 for this purpose, he added. Malfunctioning of conveyor belts since Thursday morning was still not picking up the pace as passengers facing problems at the Riyadh airport, he said, adding, their movement was slow in carrying the luggage checked. This caused delays in the departure of most of the flights and some of those who had to catch their connecting flights at their respective airline hubs had to miss it, he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has taken serious notice of the delay of PIA Umrah flights causing hardships and miseries to the pilgrims. He asked the Defence Ministry of to submit a report and also directed the officials to take urgent measures to operate Umrah flights, says a press release issued on Monday. masroor afzal pasha
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk