Islamabad, Apr 6 (UNI) The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aims to transport more than 56,000 Pakistani pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year.

The country’s national airline carrier unveiled its pre-Hajj 2025 flight schedule, which will run from April 29 to June 1. During this mammoth exercise, the airline will operate over 280 dedicated flights.

According to The Express Tribune, around 20,000 pilgrims will travel under Islamabad’s Hajj scheme, while 36,000 will proceed through private arrangements.

For transporting the pilgrims, the PIA will utilise the Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 planes, and then start its post-Hajj flight operation to bring back the pilgrims to Pakistan from June 12, and continue till July 10.

As per The Nation, government officials stated that a comprehensive plan has been developed to facilitate a secure and timely return for all pilgrims, with special measures in place to ensure convenience and avoid any travel disruptions.

The PIA has been undergoing massive reforms as the national carrier is set to be privatised, with the government focusing on resolving long-standing issues and attracting strategic partners to improve its financial situation and operations.

As the PIA, once heralded as one of the greatest airlines in Asia, has become a financial burden due to poor management, overstaffing, safety issues, government and private corruption, massive debt, and competition from other neighbouring flights in the region, particularly from India. The airline has had to go through a massive overhaul, resulting in total restructuring to prepare it for privatisation.



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