JEDDAH - PIA is generating SR 500 million revenue by selling tickets and other services from four cities of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said Country Manager PIA Shahbaz Ahmed on Wednesday.
He was talking to media men who were transported to Saudi Arabia for observing PIA post-Haj operation. “We are earning around SR500 million annually from Jeddah, Medina, Dammam and Riyadh stations through sale of tickets”, said country manager. He said that PIA was operating 15 flights from Jeddah on weekly basis for different parts of Pakistan while three flights are operating from Medina. He said from Jeddah, six flights are operating for Karachi, three for Islamabad and one for Peshawar. Through PIA’s post-Haj operation, around 9,827 Hujjaj have been transported to the major cities of country in four days through 27 flights. He said that officials at the Head Office are in constant communication with PIA officials at Jeddah Haj Terminal for facilitation of returning Hujjaj. He said that PIA is making all efforts for providing best services to returning Hujjaj. He maintained that despite heavy rush of returning Hujjaj of the world, PIA’s performance is much better than other airlines which are experiencing long delays. He said that PIA will bring back more than 67,100 Hajis to Pakistan through 215 post-Haj flights and regular scheduled flights. The post- Haj operation will conclude on November 19. He further said that PIA has earned around SR0.2 million from Hujjaj through Excess Bags Tickets (EBT). He said one PIA official has also been suspended due to involvement in allowing EBT by taking money from Hujjaj.