Saudi Arabia changes COVID guidelines for Hajj pilgrims

KARACHI: Saudi Arabia has issued fresh COVID guidelines for Hajj pilgrims travelling to the Kingdom and warned airlines of strict action in case of violations, ARY NEWS reported.

The fresh guidelines were issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Saudi Arabia, directing the airlines including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to ensure that Hajj pilgrims carry a COVID test report conducted 72 hours prior to the flight.

Previously, the pilgrims were asked to carry a report of the COVID test conducted 48 hours prior to the flight. The GACA warned of strict actions against airlines if rules are flouted.

It further reminded that all pilgrims visiting the kingdom should be below the age of 65.

It is pertinent to mention here that the national flag carrier — Pakistan International Airline (PIA) — will begin this year’s Hajj flight operations from June 6.

According to PIA spokesperson, the first Hajj flight will depart for Madina from Islamabad on June 6. PIA said the Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia would fly to Jeddah and Madinah.

“The national flag carrier will operate overall 400 pre and post-Hajj flights from May 31 to August 13,” Pakistan’s national flag carrier said in a statement.

Hajj operation will be carried out from 8 cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Peshawar and Quetta, the statement read.

The PIA will operate Boeing-777 for Hajj operations while Airbus A-320 would be used for flight operations from Quetta, according to the spokesperson.

Hajj quota

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 31,253 aspiring pilgrims will perform the pilgrimage this year under govt scheme as Pakistan was given the quota of 86,000 pilgrims in 2022. The names of 32,000 successful applicants will be announced after balloting in accordance with the 40 per cent government quota.

Hajj pilgrims under the government scheme will arrive in Saudi Arabia via PIA, Air Blue, Serene Air and Saudi Air.

Read More: PIA TO CHARGE PRIVATE HAJJ PILGRIMS IN DOLLARS

The quota for pilgrims has been divided into 60% and 40% for private and government tour operators respectively, it was learnt.

It has been further recommended to charge Rs945,000 for government-facilitated Hajj while private tour operators will be allowed to charge above Rs1.2 million for the pilgrimage.

It is to be noted that Saudi Arabia has allotted the second-highest quota of Hajj pilgrims to Pakistan after the Kingdom allowed one million people to perform the holy pilgrimage this year.