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KARACHI: First post-Hajj flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for Karachi arrived on Thursday morning with 468 pilgrims.

This flight PK-2004 was delayed because of congestion problems and immigration clearance issues at Jeddah, it said in a handout.

It said Hajj flights arriving in other major cities of Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta may experience delays by two to three hours for the next 48 hours due to the same reasons.

Senior officers and staff sent to Jeddah are in constant touch with Jeddah civil aviation authorities to smooth out the process for speedy passenger handling and availability of parking bays for PIA aircraft for timely embarkation and departure of returning Hajjis, it added.

Earlier on December 2, 1,594 Hajis were brought back to Quetta, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar through four different opening PIA Hajj flights to these cities.

PIA’s post-Hajj operation for the return journey of over 127,000 Hajis from Saudi Arabia commenced on December 2, and will conclude on January 1, 2010.

For the first time in PIA’s history, a spare Boeing 747 has been positioned in Jeddah to minimise any operational impact or inconvenience to the pilgrims.

PIA has made special arrangements for swine flu kits. Medical kits will also be provided on flights. All passengers will be provided with masks on board the flights.

End.