Dhaka: A total of 70,588 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia onboard 182 flights since April 29, with the final flight scheduled to depart from Dhaka on May 31, officials reported today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, 87,100 Bangladeshis are expected to perform Hajj this year. Of these, 5,200 pilgrims will undertake the journey under arrangements made by the Bangladesh government, while private operators will manage the pilgrimage for the remaining 81,900 individuals.
The religious affairs ministry spokesman, M Abubakor Siddik, stated that three Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights carrying 1,266 Hajj pilgrims, one Saudi Airlines flight with 395 pilgrims, and a Flynas Airlines flight with 365 pilgrims have either departed or are scheduled to depart Bangladesh for Saudi Arabia today. The last flight carrying pilgrims is expected to reach Saudi Arabia by May 31.
The ministry has been issuing regular Hajj bulletins, with the latest one announcing the deaths of 12 pilgrims after reaching Saudi Arabia due to old age or various health issues in recent days.
To date, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has operated 94 flights, transporting 36,380 pilgrims. Saudi Airlines has conducted 67 flights with 25,580 pilgrims, and Riyadh-based Flynas Airlines has transported 8,628 pilgrims on 21 flights. The Hajj office bulletin mentions that according to the aviation plan, Bangladesh Airlines will operate 118 Hajj flights, Saudi Airlines 80 flights, and Flynas Airlines 34 flights for the pilgrimage.
Officials have noted that 4,583 pilgrims under the government’s Hajj program and 63,697 under private arrangements have reached Saudi Arabia so far. The first Hajj flight, carrying 398 pilgrims, departed from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 29.
This year’s Hajj is expected to take place on June 5, although the date may vary depending on moon sighting in accordance with the Arabic lunar calendar. Return flights for the pilgrims are scheduled to begin on June 10 and conclude on July 10.