KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced fares for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage and the national flag carrier is scheduled to start pre-Hajj operations from June 6 till May 21.
According to multiple media reports, the national flag carrier for the first time in its history will charge fares in US dollars from private Hajj pilgrims. The PIA has set $1180 fare for private Hajj pilgrims.
This came within days after Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony announced to allocate a 25 per cent special quota in the Government Hajj Scheme for the pilgrims who will deposit dues in dollars.
The ministry also decided that the intending pilgrims, depositing dues in dollars, would be exempted from the balloting under the new Hajj policy, official sources said on Friday.
They said about 22,400 pilgrims would benefit from the ‘Sponsorship Scheme’ being introduced by the ministry in the wake of the current foreign exchange reserves in the country.
According to latest reports, the airfares for the pilgrims from Southern region and Northern region are likely to remain in the range of $810 to $1,100 and $860 to $1,150 respectively, according to PIA.
Pilgrims travelling through the executive economy class would be allowed to carry 40kg baggage and seven-kilogramme hands carry luggage. Moreover, passengers travelling through the economy class would be allowed to carry 35kg baggage and seven-kilogramme hands carry luggage.
