Pakistan will commence its Hajj flight operations from Lahore on April 18, marking the beginning of this year’s pilgrimage travel arrangements for thousands of intending pilgrims.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, the first flight will depart from Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore and head to Madinah. The inaugural flight will be operated by Saudi Airlines under flight number SV-5735.
Officials confirmed that a comprehensive pre-Hajj flight schedule has been finalised, comprising a total of 101 flights from Lahore. These flights will be operated jointly by multiple airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Saudi Airlines, Airblue, and AirSial.
As per the breakdown, PIA will operate 33 flights, Saudi Airlines 29, Airblue 24, and AirSial 15 flights during the pre-Hajj phase. Authorities stated that all arrangements have been completed to ensure smooth travel for pilgrims.
The Hajj flight operation will continue over several weeks, with the final pre-Hajj flight from Lahore scheduled to depart on May 21, 2026.
Officials emphasised that coordination between airlines and airport authorities has been strengthened to facilitate timely departures and minimise inconvenience for pilgrims. The launch of operations reflects Pakistan’s annual efforts to manage one of the largest religious travel movements in the country.
The start of Hajj flights from Lahore marks a key phase in Pakistan’s pilgrimage preparations, with thousands of pilgrims expected to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks.