The cost of Hajj this year will be Rs850,000 as the Hajj policy of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has been approved by the federal cabinet on Monday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to details, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations will continue from May 31 to August 13 with 297 flights.

This year, 81,132 Pakistanis will have the blessing to perform Hajj. The last year’s Hajj cost was less than half of this year.  

Under the government scheme, 32,453 Pakistanis will perform Hajj, while under the private scheme, 48,679 Pakistanis will be able to perform Hajj.

The PIA administration has briefed the Federal Minister of Aviation on important issues including Hajj operation, religious pilgrimage and promotion of domestic and foreign tourism.

Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia will depart for Jeddah and Madinah.

Federal Minister of Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique directed PIA to withdraw one Boeing 777 and one Airbus 320 from long-term storage for this purpose.

Saad Rafique said a plane arrived in Pakistan last week and is being cleared by customs and the FBR. The second plane will arrive in Pakistan later this month.

Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said the addition of additional aircraft to the fleet would strengthen air operations and help expand the network.

PIA is expanding flights to Damascus and Najaf al-Ashraf to facilitate tourists. PIA will operate additional flights to Damascus and Najaf on the occasion of Ashura. 

The PIA also plans to double flights to Baku (Azerbaijan) for Pakistani tourists.

Flights to Skardu, Gilgit and Chitral are also being significantly increased to boost tourism in the northern regions.

There are 18 weekly flights to Skardu, 24 weekly flights to Gilgit and 2 weekly flights to Chitral.

Apart from Islamabad, the flights are also connecting Karachi, Lahore and other cities in the country.

The PIA has been directed to pay special attention to the cargo sector and make recommendations for concrete steps for its development.

Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique asked PIA to repair business class lounges at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports to enhance its business class products. PIA, private airlines step up preparations for Hajj

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Air Blue and Serene Air have stepped up preparations for Hajj Operation 2022

According to details, PIA will operate flights from eight airports including Lahore for Hajj.

Air Blue and Serene Air are considering to operate five and three Hajj flights respectively from major airports. 

The airline officials have instructed their staff at all airports to complete the preparations.

According to sources, besides Lahore, PIA will operate Hajj flights from, Sialkot, Islamabad, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Peshawar and Karachi airports.

PIA officials have instructed staff at eight airports to complete the preparations.

The sources privy to the matter said the Air Blue will operate flights from Lahore, Multan, Islamabad, Peshawar and Karachi.

While Serene Air is considering operating flights from Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, the Hajj flight is expected to start operations from May 31.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs will finalize the Hajj operation after the Hajj flight schedule and quotas.

Reporter: Usman Javed