LAHORE, Jan 4: The Haj operations at the Lahore Airport for the year will start with a PIA flight on Jan 17.

The operation to carry around 32,000 pilgrims to Saudia Arabia will be completed on Feb 16. The first flight bringing back Hajis will be on Feb 26.

It is learnt that the PIA will operate 67 Haj flights, including seven additional flights, to transport 29,300 passengers. The Saudia Airlines will carry 2,700 pilgrims by its routine flights.

The PIA will operate two flights daily. The flights, each carrying 460 pilgrims, will leave at 5pm and 8pm. The dates and departure schedule of the seven additional flights will be notified later.

It is learnt that the PIA has acquired Boeing 747 aircraft for transportation of intending pilgrims from Lahore.

The inspections related to departures will be carried out at the Haji Camp set up at Majethia Hall before the passengers are transported to the Haj Terminal.

The Civil Aviation Authority is making special arrangements at the Haj Terminal, setting up separate prayer and ablutions areas for men and women, and providing heating, telephone and first aid facilities. A public address system, too, has been installed.

The CAA and the PIA will also establish special counters and depute additional staff besides boy scouts to assist the pilgrims.

It is learnt that the CAA headquarters has directed the local management to improve the facilities. Following instructions, the CAA convened a meeting here which was attended by representatives of the CAA, the PIA, Sau-dia Airlines, the Airport Security Force and immigration, customs authorities and the traffic police.

The Haj director, Faroogh Aftab Zaidi, and the local military commander also held separate meetings to review the arrangements. The CAA will shortly arrange a final review meeting to be chaired by its zonal manager at the Lahore airport.