Pakistan Resumes Hajj Flights as Ceasefire Holds

IQNA – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed its Hajj operations on Saturday night following the full restoration of the country’s airspace, which had been intermittently closed since May 7 due to heightened tensions and a brief military conflict between Pakistan and India.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed the reopening of all airports nationwide after a ceasefire was announced earlier in the evening. A notice to airmen (NOTAM) was subsequently issued, lifting all flight restrictions, the Express Tribune reported on Sunday.

PIA issued an apology for the disruptions, attributing them to necessary safety measures. Hajj flights, which had been significantly impacted, recommenced Saturday night.

Ten Hajj flights had been cancelled amid the crisis, affecting 2,290 pilgrims. Of these, seven flights were operated by Saudi Airlines and three by PIA.

Hajj departures from major Pakistani cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Peshawar, and Karachi are now back on schedule.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that 1,277 of the affected pilgrims have already departed via special PIA flights, with the remaining 1,013 expected to leave in the coming days. As of now, over 19,600 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia.

Airspace closures had disrupted around 450 flights, both domestic and international, causing widespread delays, particularly at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport, where up to 80% of flights were affected.

Source: Agencies