In order to make it easier for Pakistani and other Muslim pilgrims who want to fly from China to Saudi Arabia to do Umrah, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has introduced a unique package.
As part of the package, connecting flights from Islamabad to Saudi Arabia and back would be made available to pilgrims flying on PIA from Beijing and Chengdu.
A senior official told APP here on Monday that Pakistani travelers might take advantage of a layover of more than a week in Pakistan before traveling back to China.
Currently, on Sunday and Wednesday each week, the national flag airline offers passenger flights on the routes Islamabad-Beijing-Islamabad and Islamabad-Chengdu-Islamabad.
For travelers flying on the Beijing-Islamabad route, PIA has already lowered prices in anticipation of the Chinese New Year and the associated Chinese winter holidays.
The updated ticket from Beijing to Islamabad is now RMB 4,681 (all taxes included), which will make it easier for travelers who want to visit Pakistan to spend the holidays with their relatives.
The Beijing-Islamabad-Beijing round-trip fare has also been reduced by the national flag carrier; the new price is RMB 12,050 inclusive of all taxes.
China has already stated that it will abolish the quarantine requirement for foreign arrivals on January 8.
The nucleic acid test must be completed by travelers to China no later than 48 hours before boarding their aircraft.
According to China’s National Health Commission, nucleic acid screening and centralized isolation after arrival will be discontinued.
Some Pakistani nationals spoke to APP and expressed their satisfaction at the introduction of Umrah packages for Pakistanis and other Muslims residing around China, saying they would be able to fulfill their religious obligations and see their relatives on the way home after doing Umrah.
To read our blog on “In-flight smokers will be fined Rs. 100,000 by PIA,” click here.
