Pakistan International Airlines has successfully completed its pre-Hajj 2026 flight operation, transporting tens of thousands of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia ahead of the annual pilgrimage, according to an official spokesperson.
Read More: Pre–Hajj flight schedule released from Lahore Airport
The airline said the operation concluded on May 21, with more than 53,000 Hajj pilgrims flown to the holy cities through 210 scheduled flights. Officials reported a 97 per cent operational success rate, with on-time departures exceeding internal targets.
PIA’s pre-Hajj operation has been completed. According to a PIA spokesperson, the pre-Hajj operation successfully concluded on May 21. This year, over 53,000 pilgrims were transported to the holy land of Hejaz through 210 flights.
PIA’s pre-Hajj flight punctuality rate stood at… pic.twitter.com/cd6cxgFtpp
— Hype Pakistan (@HypePakistan) May 21, 2026
The pre-Hajj operation is part of Pakistan’s annual arrangement to facilitate pilgrims travelling for Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, to Saudi Arabia. The national carrier played a central role in ensuring smooth transportation from multiple cities across Pakistan.
Authorities confirmed that preparations are already underway for the post-Hajj operation, which will run from May 30 to June 30, during which returning pilgrims will be brought back to Pakistan after completing their religious obligations.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, nearly all deployed Hajj support staff have reached Saudi Arabia to assist pilgrims. This includes welfare officers, medical teams, and logistical personnel stationed across key locations.
Officials said more than 1,500 welfare staff members have been deployed, along with hundreds of assistants and medical professionals, to ensure smooth facilitation for pilgrims during their stay. Additionally, “Haram Guides” have assisted tens of thousands of pilgrims with navigation around the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Transport arrangements have also been expanded, with hundreds of shuttle buses operating in Makkah to manage large-scale movement between accommodation sites and religious locations.
Authorities described the overall coordination as a major logistical success, highlighting improvements in efficiency and service delivery compared to previous years.
Read More: PIA releases Hajj 2026 flight schedule
The successful completion of the pre-Hajj phase is seen as a key milestone in Pakistan’s annual pilgrimage operations, with officials now focusing on ensuring a safe and organised return phase for all pilgrims.