PIA announces fares, flight operations for Hajj 2023

• PIA announces fares for Hajj 2023
• PIA will commence flight operation from May 21
• PIA is expected to fly 38,000 pilgrims this year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the fares for the Hajj pilgrimage this year and the date to commence flight operations.

The pre-Hajj operation would start on May 21 and continue till August 12 during which the national flag carrier will carry 38,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

“Pre Hajj operation will commence from 1st Zilqad till 4th Zilhajj, 1444 corresponding to Gregorian date 21st May till 22nd June 2023 (subject to moon sighting),” said a circular.

The airline has decided to charge fares in US dollars and fixed the fares for pilgrims. The fare for private Hajj pilgrims has been set at $1180.

The airfares will range from $810 to $1,100 for the Southern region that includes Karachi, Quetta, Sukkur, Hyderabad,

The fare for the Northern region ranges from $860 to $1,150 and includes Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Multan, and other cities. The cost of a complete government Hajj scheme-based pilgrimage would be Rs1.25 million.

PIA is expected to fly 38,000 pilgrims this year, Saudi Airlines 44,000, while the rest would take flights from two Pakistan-based private airlines. PIA will use Boeing 777 and Airbus 320 for its Hajj flight operations to Jeddah and Madinah.

Earlier on Saturday, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar minister chaired a meeting on Hajj Policy-2023 expressed firm commitment to extend maximum support and cooperation for facilitating Hajjis to make the religious obligation successful.

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, Special Secretary of Finance and senior officers from Finance and Religious Affairs ministries attended the meeting.

The meeting was apprised of the Hajj-2023 policy. It was informed that more than 179,000 Pakistanis were expected to perform Hajj this year.

Minister for Religious Affairs informed the finance minister about certain issues related to foreign exchange and sought his support.

Dar stated that “Hajj is a sacred religious obligation to be performed by every Muslim and we have to contribute our part for the blessings of Almighty Allah”.

The minister committed to extending maximum support and cooperation in facilitating the Hajjis to make the religious event successful. Minister for Religious Affairs thanked the finance minister for cooperation and support.

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