As Hajj flight operations ramp up, another major Pakistani city has begun to provide direct flights to Saudi Arabia.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), direct flights to Saudi Arabia have begun for Balochistan citizens who previously visited Holy cities with a layover.
Many travelers used to go to other Pakistani cities, such as Karachi, to catch Hajj flights, but officials have recently expanded the list of places to include Quetta.
Flight PK-747 of the country’s national flag carrier took off from Quetta airport at night, carrying 145 Hajj pilgrims to Madinah. Earlier, PK6133 and PK-6137 took about 300 pilgrims to Madinah.
The latest flight operations from Balochistan’s capital began when Pakistani officials improved Quetta airport, which is now fully capable of hosting larger planes.
Meanwhile, Hajj operations are begun from ten Pakistani locations, with post-hajj flights beginning on July 4.