Hajj Flights Operation - Year 2024

[Abbas Ali]

Karachi Airport has been included in "Makkah Route" initiative.

Under "Makkah Route" initiative, Pakistani Hajj pilgrims' Saudi customs and immigration gets completed at selected Pakistani airport. "Makkah Route" facility was introduced at Islamabad Airport for the first time for Hajj 2019 flights.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Saudi Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) plan for 2024 Hajj flights operation:

Pre-Hajj flights from May 9, 2024, to June 10, 2024.
Post-Hajj flights from June 20, 2024, to July 21, 2024.

GACA has invited airlines to submit applications for pre- & post-Hajj flight operations by January 1, 2024.

Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan, instructions for Hajj 2024 applicants published in November 17 newspaper:



Abbas

[Amaad Lone]

If PIA is privatized by then, maybe the new owners will not be interested in operating Hajj flights.

Might be a better idea to give the Hajj ministry or who ever arranges Hajj affairs, to charter aircraft for the pilgrims.

Call in tenders and and see which airline can operate the flights at what cost.

[b78709]

If PIA is privatized by then, maybe the new owners will not be interested in operating Hajj flights.

Might be a better idea to give the Hajj ministry or who ever arranges Hajj affairs, to charter aircraft for the pilgrims.

Call in tenders and and see which airline can operate the flights at what cost.

Let's not take it for granted. The speed at which GoP works, nothing is guaranteed.

[Abbas Ali]

Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed has said that his ministry is holding talks with airlines to re­duce fares for Hajj 2024 flights.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Banks have started accepting Hajj Applications.

Bank Al Habib Limited advertisement in November 26 newspaper:



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Hajj pilgrims/international passengers not required to carry proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for air travel.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan, has received a total of 59,328 Hajj 2024 applications under the government scheme.

Quota for Pakistanis participating in Hajj 2024 under government scheme is 89,605.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Skardu International Airport

For the first time Hajj flights to be operated from Skardu Airport in year 2024.

Abbas

[Karachi Aviator]

I think PIA should have enough traffic to operate KDU-JED on normal days too and not just during the hajj season.
LYP, UET and KDU should get 2-3 weekly flights to jeddah at least.

[Abbas Ali]

Serene Air announces its participation in Hajj 2024 flights operation with Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Serene Air Hajj flights starting from May 10.

Serene Air to transport Hajj pilgrims to Jeddah/Medina from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Hajj flights starting from May 9.

Airlines including PIA, Saudia, airblue and Serene Air to take part in Hajj flights operation.

https://www.express.com.pk/epaper/PoPup ... e=20240416

[Badar42]

How will Pia cope with lack of 777s till early June ?it's the busiest time of the year for the airline..

[Amaad Lone]

Why not dry lease a few A330-300s??

A320 crews can fly the A330.

If PIA is not allowed to lease more planes until privatization, then possible for Government of Pakistan leases aircraft for hajj and get PIA crews to fly them.