The national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has increased 50 percent fares on flights to Saudi Arabia, reported 24NewsHD TV channel quoting sources.

The move came after the Saudi authorities lifted multiple restrictions on performing Umrah and this year's Hajj.

The return ticket of the PIA’s flight from Lahore to Madinah and Jeddah now costs Rs130,000.

On the other hand, Air Blue airline return ticket flight from Lahore to Jeddah now available at Rs115,000.

Meanwhile, Serene Air return-ticket flight from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia reaches Rs110,000.

It is obvious that an increase in flight fare (transport cost) would likely hike Umrah packages as well.

https://twitter.com/hsharifain/status/1502303132503707653 

Earlier, Saudi officials had issued a new travel advisory regarding the conditions for Umrah scrapping the mandatory PCR test condition and announced the approved list of the vaccines for pilgrims.

The approved vaccines for pilgrims coming for Umrah are Pfizer, SinoVac, Sinopharm, Astrazeneca, Jonson and Jonson, Cansino, Moderna and Sputnik.

As per travel advisory, pilgrims with a single dose of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine can travel to Saudi Arabia while two doses needed for pilgrims inoculated with Pfizer, Astrazeneca and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. All pilgrims needed to get their full vaccination card.

Reporter Saeed Ahmed Saeed