RAWALPINDI, Jan 12: At least 19,762 people would use Islamabad International Airport to embark on Haj pilgrimage, Air Commodore (Rtd) Shahid Naveed, zonal manager (north), Civil Aviation Authority, said here at a briefing on Friday.

“The pilgrims would be transported to the holy land and brought back by the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Saudi Airlines,” he said.

“The PIA will be carrying 89 per cent of the passenger load (17,602 pilgrims), while the remaining 2,160 will be go by the Saudi Airlines.”

Mr Naveed said PIA would launch 42 special flights to carry out Haj operation from Islamabad, while Saudi Airlines would carry passengers on nine scheduled flights during the one month operation.

He further said the pre-Haj operation would commence on January 16 when the first Haj flight PK-1501 departs with 472 passengers.

“PIA would transport 14,632 passengers on 31 flights of Boeing 747 aircraft with each flight carrying 472 pilgrims, while the remaining 2,970 would fly on A-300 planes,” he said and added that A-300 planes would carry 270 pilgrims in each flight.

The Boeing 747 jets would depart daily at 11.00pm while the A-300 flights’ departure time has been set at 2.30pm. All the pilgrims would travel in economy class.

Mr Naveed said the arrangements for the post-Haj operation, which would start from February 26 to March 28, would remain the same except the Boeing 747 jets would arrive at 9.55pm and the A-300 flights at 3.10am daily.

“Special immigration and customs counters have been set up for speedy clearance of the pilgrims’ luggage. Special teams have been constituted by the CAA to assist the pilgrims.”

Elderly pilgrims would be given free porter assistance while others, if opt for the service, would be required to pay nominal charges.

Airport Manager Farooq Malik said contrary to some other airports in the country, no terminal was being specifically allocated in Islamabad for the Haj operations and the pilgrims would use international lounges.

PPI ADDS: Meanwhile, the ministry of religious affairs has said that a sum of Rs600 million will be returned to Hujjaj, as the amount is being considered as the extra one due to stability of rupee against dollar.