Pilgrims flying Pakistan International Airlines have complained that the security system and other pre-departure formalities at King Abdul Aziz International Airport's Haj Terminal are holding up their flights. Manzoorul Hasan, the Country Manager of the airlines, said the delay in flights was largely due to the expansion of the Haj Terminal, and the scanning and checking of passengers' luggage. Apart from PIA, other airlines are also facing problems at the airport. This flight interruption will continue for several days and passengers have been requested to reach the airport eight hours in advance in order to have proper scanning of their luggage and to complete immigration procedures, the official said. Right now, he said, 13 flights of Haj pilgrims have left for Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. “The three to four hours delay in flight departure is not due to PIA arrangements, but rather is a result of the regular checking at the airport. Passengers on the delayed flights were provided proper food from the restaurant at the Haj Terminal, he said. Hasan said the national career has opened special offices in Makkah and Madina and also at the Haj Terminal to assist pilgrims to deal with their lost documents, lost baggage, changes in seat bookings, etc. The airlines has provided a free 10-liter can of Zamzam water for each pilgrim. Additional staff have come from Pakistan for the post-Haj operation to assist passengers at the airport.
