KARACHI:Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Sunday launched its flight operation for the Hajj, 2023 from Karachi. The first flight PK 773, carrying 316 pilgrims, left Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport for Medina at 4:50 AM in the morning. The flight operation for transporting 65, 000 pilgrims to Mecca that began on May 21 will last until June 22 while the flights will bring pilgrims back to Pakistan from July 2 to August 2. Besides Karachi, the PIA will operate flights from Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan and Quetta for which Boeing 777 and Air Bus 320 will be used.

Similarly, SereneAir’s flight, with 279 passengers on board, left Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport for Saudi Arabia at 5:00 AM. Special arrangements had been made at the airport for the purpose. The pilgrims were garlanded while a special ceremony was held at the airport. Adviser to Prime Minister on Religious Affairs Shabbir Ahmad Usmani was the chief guest on the occasion. As many as 81, 230 people from Pakistan will perform Hajj this year. PIA will transport 40, 700 while Saudia Airlines will take 36, 000, Airblue 2, 250 and SereneAir 2, 280 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year.