The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced Umrah Policy 2020 on Tuesday that will remain effective till December 31 this year, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The PIA has set economy class fare for Umrah pilgrims from Karachi at Rs91,000 while Rs96,000 fares will be charged from other cities including Multan.

The TV channel reported that the maximum limit for baggage has been set at 36 kilograms for each passenger travelling from Pakistan to Jeddah or Madinah.

While, executive economy passengers will be allowed to carry 40-kilogram baggage. The national carrier will also allow pilgrims to carry five litres of Zamzam water excluding the baggage limit while a 10-kilogram baggage allowance is granted to infants.

The national carrier also commenced bookings for groups of Umrah pilgrims to which the minimum size should be at least 10 passengers. “The validity of the air tickets will be one month from the date of departure,” a PIA spokesperson said.

Under the rules, the PIA announced that passengers will not be charged if requested seven days before the date of departure for change of booking (COB).

Earlier, more than 250 pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia on November 2 to perform Umrah for the first time in seven months.

King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah received the first flights of international pilgrims on Sunday from Pakistan and Indonesia. The first flight, from Pakistan, arrived at 4 p.m. carrying 38 pilgrims, while the second flight, from Indonesia, arrived at 6 p.m. with 224 pilgrims.

Pilgrims were received by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Muhammad Saleh Benten and his deputy, Abdel Fattah Mashat, as well as the airport director, Issam Nour.