PIA has announced a significant reduction in airfares for Umrah pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia.

According to a PIA spokesperson, pilgrims departing from various cities in Pakistan to Medina will now benefit from these discounted rates.

Round-trip fares from Karachi to Medina have been reduced to Rs76,000, excluding taxes. For passengers traveling from Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, and Sialkot to Medina, the round-trip fare is now Rs86,000.

This marks a Rs34,000 reduction from the previous fare of Rs120,000. The spokesperson confirmed that these new fares are effective immediately and will remain in place until July 15.

Earlier this year, PIA offered a similar discount for Saudi residents, work visa holders, and Umrah pilgrims, aiming to provide affordable travel during specific periods.

In terms of financial performance, PIA reported a significant revenue increase, reaching Rs186 billion for the nine months from January to September 2023. Despite challenges, including a Rs75 billion loss during this period, the airline showed improvement compared to the previous year.

The ongoing operation to transport Pakistani pilgrims to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme is proceeding smoothly, with many pilgrims already arriving in Madinah and Makkah.