Over 1,100 pilgrims flown to Saudi Arabia as airspace reopens; remaining Hajj operations to proceed as scheduled
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has officially resumed Hajj flight operations after the recent ceasefire agreement with India and the subsequent reopening of national airspace, the Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed on Sunday.
The resumption comes in the wake of a tense military standoff that saw Indian missile strikes intercepted by Pakistan’s air defense systems, prompting the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) to declare an air emergency and suspend all domestic and international flight operations.
With tensions easing significantly and airspace now reopened for civilian and commercial flights, the Ministry announced the immediate revival of the Hajj flight schedule. A special Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight is set to depart later tonight, formally restarting the Hajj operations disrupted by the crisis.
According to ministry officials, 1,100 out of 2,290 affected pilgrims have already been flown to Saudi Arabia via special flights. Arrangements are underway to send the remaining 1,190 in the coming days.
The air travel suspension had led to the cancellation of 10 Hajj flights—seven operated by Saudi Airlines and three by PIA. These included three flights from Lahore, two from Islamabad, and one each from Karachi and Multan.
The breakthrough ceasefire was first announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and later confirmed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In a statement, the Ministry of Religious Affairs assured the public that normal Hajj operations have resumed:
“Pakistan’s airspace has been fully restored for all types of flights. Hajj operations will now continue as per the original schedule.”
Officials noted that a total of 1,277 pilgrims have so far been flown out via special arrangements, with 1,013 more to depart shortly. To date, 19,669 Pakistani pilgrims have successfully reached Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage.
The Ministry advised all intending pilgrims to remain in touch with their designated Hajj camps for updated flight information and additional assistance.
