Pakistan to launch 101-flight pre-Hajj operation from April 18

Pakistan will begin its pre-Hajj air operations on April 18, 2026, with a total of 101 scheduled flights arranged to transport pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Saturday.

The operation will be jointly carried out by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Airblue, and Air Sial, marking the start of the annual pilgrimage flight programme from designated airports across the country.

Among carriers, PIA will operate 33 flights, followed by Saudi Arabian Airlines with 29, Airblue with 24, and Air Sial with 15, according to official breakdowns.

The first outbound Hajj flight will depart from Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIA), Lahore, on April 18, with a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight SV-5735 scheduled to fly from Lahore to Madinah on the same day.

Authorities said all operational and logistical preparations have been finalized to ensure smooth execution of the pilgrimage airlift across the network of participating airlines and airports.

The pre-Hajj flight schedule will continue until May 21, 2026, when the final departure is expected from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, concluding the outbound phase of operations.