ISLAMABAD: Pakistan鈥檚 national flag carrier announced its decision to reduce Umrah pilgrimage fares in a brief statement issued on Friday, saying the new rates would be implemented immediately.
The cost adjustment, which appears to be an attempt to ease the financial burden for the faithful embarking on the sacred journey, has come at a time when the government has approved an Rs8 billion lifeline to address the airline鈥檚 financial woes.
Prior to that, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was beginning to find it difficult to meet its operational expenses and canceling regular flight operations.
鈥淧IA has announced an immediate reduction in Umrah fares,鈥� an official statement circulated by the airline鈥檚 spokesperson said. 鈥淭wo-way Umrah fare from Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, Multan, Faisalabad to Jeddah is Rs87,000 plus tax. Umrah fare from Karachi and Quetta is Rs79,000 plus tax.鈥�
鈥淭hese fares will be effective immediately,鈥� the statement added.
The airfares for international travel significantly increased due to multiple factors after countries lifted lockdowns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PIA鈥檚 reduced rates are expected to incentivize pilgrims to travel through the national airline.