KARACHI, Dec 27: The pre-Haj operation of Pakistan International Airline to take 111,572 intending Hajis for pilgrimage through 320 special Haj flights began from Karachi on Saturday with the departure of four Haj flights to Jeddah with over 1,468 intending Hajis on-board.

In Karachi, the Haj flight was seen off at Haj Terminal by PIA Deputy Managing Director for Finance and IT, Kalim Malik and Director Marketing, Kamran Hasan.

This year, the PIA is carrying out its Haj operation from Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta, besides Karachi. The pre- Haj operation will conclude on Jan 26, 2004 while the post-Haj operation will begin from Feb 5.

The pre-Haj operation entails a total of 70 flights carrying 26,298 pilgrims from Karachi, 75 flights carrying 33,188 intending pilgrims from Lahore, 56 flights carrying 19,956 pilgrims from Islamabad, 60 flights transporting 16,200 pilgrims from Peshawar and 59 flights from Quetta to carry 15,930 pilgrims.

According to a PIA spokesman, in the wake of heavy Haj traffic, the PIA has been compelled to change the existing configuration. As a result, all the aircraft operated by the PIA for its Haj operation have been converted to provide only economy class.

He pointed out that as these aircraft would also be operating on the domestic network, at times, business class passengers would be accommodated in the economy class.

In order to ensure a hassle-free, smooth operation this year, emphasis has been laid on better coordination, adequate and streamlined handling facilities and provision of a special coordination cell at Jeddah, which would be responsible for dissemination of information regarding flights schedule to customers, he added.

For the convenience of pilgrims, he said, the PIA had also made special arrangements to provide complimentary Aab-e-Zam Zam in 10 litre cans to all the Hajis on arrival in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, PIA’s engineering department will be working round-the-clock, seven days a week, during the Haj operation so that the required maintenance and checks of various aircraft can be conducted. —APP