The Ministry of Religious Affairs has officially released thetimetable of the flights in the 2026 Hajj season. According to the official Hajj scheme of the government, the initial flight will be on April 18. A colossal operation will also be carried out this year which will ferry 119,000 pilgrims to the Holy Land of Makkah and Madinah with 468 dedicated flights.
Hajj Flight Schedule and Distribution Details
This month-long flight operation will actually start on April 18 when the first flights will be made to take off at Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot and Multan. The pilgrims will be flown directly to Madinah in four planes on the first day itself.
The ministry has also assured that everyone will be informed of their respective flight schedules next week. The general plan of the flights is separated into two destinations:
- To Madinah: 186 flights (Pilgrims arriving directly here will stay for three to eight days before moving to Makkah).
To Jeddah: 282 flights (Commencing from May 4).
The nationwide operation will span eight major cities across Pakistan. Here is the city-wise breakdown of the departing flights:
| Departure City | Number of Flights |
| Islamabad | 129 Flights |
| Karachi | 124 Flights |
| Lahore | 104 Flights |
| Multan | 34 Flights |
| Sialkot | 26 Flights |
| Faisalabad | 23 Flights |
| Quetta | 18 Flights |
| Sukkur | 5 Flights |
Important Guidelines and Training for Pilgrims
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith harmony just ended the second phase of pilgrim training in the Haji Camp in Islamabad to guarantee a smooth spiritual journey. The attendees were required to be briefed on administrative issues, departure rituals, and religious requirements by the master trainers and senior officials (Faraiz and Wajibat).
Some guidelines given to the pilgrims are:
Physical Fitness: It is strongly recommended that Pilgrims should train their physical fitness by having to walk two or three kilometers per day prior to their departure.
Vital Documents: All of the travelers need to carry their original passports, CNIC, flight tickets, copies of the visas, and obligatory vaccination cards (meningitis, flu, and polio) with them at all times.
Snuff and Tabacco: There is a warning that they should refrain from carrying narcotics, naswar, cigarettes, and unapproved medicines.
Compulsory Mobile Applications: The ministry has ensured it is mandatory to all pilgrims to download the applications to check flight schedules, accommodation details, and tracking their groups, in the Pak Haj App. Moreover, the pilgrims should make remote biometric checks with the help of the Saudi Visa Bio app.
When does the first Hajj flight leave Pakistan in 2026?
The first Hajj flight under the government scheme is scheduled to depart on April 18, 2026, from Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, and Multan.
How many pilgrims are performing Hajj under the government scheme this year?
A total of 119,000 pilgrims will be transported to Saudi Arabia via 468 flights under the official government Hajj scheme.
Which mobile apps are mandatory for Pakistani Hajj pilgrims?
Pilgrims must use the “Pak Haj App” for flight and accommodation details, and the “Saudi Visa Bio” app to complete their remote biometric verification.
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