The first Hajj flight of 2025 is set to depart from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on April 29, Hajj operation authorities announced.
The inaugural aircraft, ER 1611, bound for Madinah Munawwarah, is scheduled to depart at 10:15 PM on April 29 with 285 pilgrims on board, according to Hajj updates.
All departing Hajj flights will touch down at Madinah Airport during the first phase. According to officials, flights will start to Jeddah Airport on May 14.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has finalized and authorized the whole flight schedule, which is currently available on the Pak Hajj mobile app. About 89,000 pilgrims will be transported by five authorized airlines as part of the government’s Hajj initiative.
At a news conference in Lahore, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, confirmed the commencement of Hajj activities. He stated that in order to guarantee the seamless implementation of Hajj plans, communication with Saudi officials is now in progress.
About 90,000 Pakistanis will make the Hajj this year through both official and private programs, he added.
The minister explained that Saudi Arabia’s recent temporary suspension of Umrah and other visas for 14 nations, including Pakistan, is a standard practice before the Hajj. Umrah pilgrims are encouraged to return by April 29 as this suspension is anticipated to be lifted by mid-June.
At least ten days prior to departure, pilgrims must receive their vaccinations at approved Haji camps in accordance with health and safety regulations. On April 8, the second round of Hajj training sessions will start.
Between April 29 and June 1, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to operate 280 pre-Hajj special flights, carrying more than 56,000 pilgrims in more comfortable Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 planes.
Operations for the return flight will start on June 12 and go through July 10.
The cost of Hajj packages has decreased this year. Following a Rs. 25,000 discount, the 40-day package is now priced at Rs. 1,050,000, while the 25-day short package has been lowered by Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,100,000.
