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Pre-Hajj flight operation to start from Oct 11
ISLAMABAD, Sept 27 (APP): The one-month pre-Hajj flight operation would start from Oct 11 to take around 80,000 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for performing the most cherished and religious obligation under the government scheme. The inaugural flight would take off from Peshawar at 11:20 pm, while regular flights from other cities of the country would start from Oct 12.The first flight from Islamabad PK-1603 carrying 468 pilgrim would leave for the holy land at 4:25am on Oct 13.
Pakistan International Airlines and Saudi Airlines would operate 240 flights to complete the first phase within 30 days.
Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Sialkot and Multan would be used as international gateways for Hajj flights to Jeddah and Madina and vice versa, while Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan and Sukkur would be used as feeder airports unless airlines operate small aircraft from these stations, according to the Hajj policy 2010.
The PIA has requested the pilgrims to clearly write their complete names, address on their suitcases so that they could easily be identified during the travel.
Each pilgrim would be allowed free baggage upto 32Kg and hand carry not exceeding 7Kg. Excess baggage if any would be charged from passenger at the rate of 15 Saudi Riyals per Kg. Each Haji would be allowed a 10-litre Aab-e-Zamzam bottle on their return.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has also launched a mobile SMS service to facilitate the intending pilgrims in getting information about their flights.
Intending pilgrims would have to send a text message at 2121 by simply writing HF(space)(first six digits of Hajj application number) to get information about their flight schedule.
Courtesy www.app.com.pk