Here are some shots of VPIA's first Post Hajj flight. Flight PK2604 marked the start of VPIA's Post Hajj operation, which will continue till the 1st of January.
There will be a large number of special flights, utilising the Boeing 747 -367 and -217BM series as well as PIA's Boeing 777s. Flights will originate from Jeddah and Madinah, heading direct to different cities in Pakistan, including Quetta, Peshawar, Sialkot, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Pilgrims will also have the facilities of extra domestic flights to different cities including Bahwalpur and Rahimyar Khan.
Flight PK2604 was operated by series 367 Boeing 747 Megatop Jumbo, AP-BFU.
Also at Jeddah that day, were a PIA series -240ER Boeing 777, as well as PIA's very own Boeing 747-217BM, AP-BAT.
enjoy.
Biman, Emirates, PIA, Saudia, Air India, PIA and an unidentified aircraft, parked at the International Ramp at Jeddah's Kind Abdul Aziz International.
"ColoUrs of the Desert"
Saudia parkings.......... MD-90's, and 747s visible....I count 18 airplanes here....
13 MD-90s visible, and a 14th in the air.
Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company provides transport between the ramp and the terminals.
HZ-AKD...or is it AKO? Saudia exclusive wide-body parking area.
HZ-AKG, arrived from Heathrow. Now deplaning pax. Note luggage containers/trolley, a caterting truck, and an ambulift for special passengers. Dont know why 3/4 flight attendants (or are they pilots?) are standing away from the buses....perhaps they are waiting for the crew transport.
One of Saudia's last remaining 741's in service, HZ-AII. Nore a fuel tanker and two Saudia maintenance service vehicles under the wing.
The cargo ramp plays host to a number of carriers, here you can see DHL, Saudia, Saudia, and FedEx.
Bizjet/private aircraft parking. HZ-AFX, owned by the Saudi Royal Flight Division is visible. It departed some time later to Abu Dhabi.
November 308 Hotel Golf is registered to a US based company, Corporate Flight Inc.
C-182? of Ashmawi Aviation, based at Luqa, Malta. hmmm Rabigh Wing's 172s arent visible....
A look back towards where the widebodies rule......On the far right, the gigantic Hajj terminal with its signature canopies. This terminal is the world's second largest paseenger terminal. In the middle of the photo, you can see the International Airlines terminal, moving left we have the control tower, the VIP terminal, and finally the Saudi Arabian Airlines terminal.
Whoa! lets see, from the top right, clockwise, Librayn A300, Garuda/Thomas Cook 757, Turkish A300, Mytravel 321 leased by an unknown airline, Saudia/Air Atlanta Icelandic 747-300, another 743 bearing Kenya Airways markings, a 747 bearing Buraq Airways markings and a Yemenia 747. In the middle are a Saudia 777 and an Ariana A300.
I thought they had 777s?
"Buraq"...interesting tail design/logo....
The most vibrant color scheme of all.......hmmm wonder what airline this is, cant see the name........
"The Margalla Magic" has just arrived from Karachi. Note a Qantas 747 and an Uzbek TU-154.
almost dusk....
The Margalla Magic with its splendor.......
Quick couple of shots by the first officer.....
Bravo Foxtrot Uniform is now taxiing out of the dedicated Hajj terminal parking space.
The taxi light arrangement used is a 2 bulb "taxi light" over a 2 bulb "Runway Turnoff Light" box. Here you can see 3 of the lights.
View of an observer from some distance. Note the Biman DC-10 taxiing out to 34L.
Left on Sierra.
Passing by an Aramco 767 on the way to 34 C.
Left Hotel 1, hold short 34 center, Pakistan 2604 Heavy.. Note Saudi 743, Air Contractors A300, Saudi MD-90 and Air India 310 at the remote parking.
Holding short for an A321 - Saudia 9201 bound for Hurghada, Egypt(VIP flight).
The beautiful Punjab tail........
Pakistan 2604 heavy, Runway 34 centre, cleared for take off.
Lined up, here we go!!!
Nice look given by the wingtip antennas.
Relatively early rotation with 468 pax.
Tail design's colours really coming out at this time....
Off to Islamabad!
My favorites!
Gear doors visible.
Passing over the Hajj terminal.
Note the sun setting over the horizon, just in the centre of the picture.
Sun almost down....
And here are the arrival shots.
Pakistan 2604 on the ILS for rwy 30.
Passing over the city....
Crossing the permieter fence
Touchdown, note the reversers....
Note a PIA 733 taxiing out.
PIA A310 taxiing out, note another 310 parked at the terminal.
making a 180 for taxi back to the ramp.
Note to the left, the 733 is backtracking already on the active, while the 310 is holding short of the active.
Nose wheel a few feet away from the edge of the pavement.
Taxiing toward the ramp.
Turning off the Taxiway onto Charlie, a very hard turn to make onto this angled taxiway, thanks to the 733 already on the runway and the 310 holding short at the other taxiway.
Note the 733 is airborne.
Full moon.
Landing lights off now.
310 now taxiing onto the runway(left behind the engine)
After a long taxi, negotiating the ramp.
Differential braking....
Parked at Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International's ramp. The aircraft will later depart back to Jeddah to ferry another load of pilgrims back to Pakistan.
