Jeddah: Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ first Hajj flight of the year successfully arrived at the Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, carrying 414 pilgrims. The flight, BG-3501, took off at 3:00 am and landed in Jeddah around 9:00 am Bangladesh time, as confirmed by Biman General Manager (Public Relations) Tahera Khandaker.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md. Delwar Hossain welcomed the pilgrims at the airport. The Consul General of Bangladesh in Jeddah, Md. Mainul Kabir, and Hajj Counselor Md. Zahirul Islam, along with other officials, were present to receive the pilgrims. Saudi officials, including Civil Aviation Advisor Engineer Mazen Jawahar and Director of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Salman Al Belabi, were also at the airport to welcome the arriving pilgrims.
The Bangladesh Ambassador extended best wishes to the pilgrims, assuring them of continued support from the Bangladesh missions in Saudi Arabia during their stay. The pilgrims expressed gratitude for the warm reception and efficient arrangements.
Prior to this, in Dhaka, Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain inaugurated the Hajj Flight-2025 operations at the Ashkona Hajj Camp. The ceremony was presided over by Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik, with speeches from various dignitaries, including Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh President Syed Golam Sarwar.
This year, 87,100 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia, with 5,200 under government management and 81,900 under private arrangements. Biman, along with Saudia and Flynas, will operate a total of 232 pre-Hajj flights. Biman will manage 118 flights, transporting half of the total pilgrims, while Saudia and Flynas will operate 80 and 34 flights, respectively.
Pre-Hajj flights will conclude by May 31, with return flights beginning on June 10. Biman will operate 94 flights to Jeddah and 24 to Madinah, departing from various cities. A total of 108 return flights will bring pilgrims back to Bangladesh.
A new mobile application has been launched for transport and essential services for pilgrims. Additionally, pre-paid Hajj cards and mobile SIM cards with roaming facilities are being provided.