Dhaka: Over 74,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as confirmed by official sources. A total of 74,247 pilgrims reached the holy land via 192 Hajj flights since the commencement of the pilgrimage journey on April 29. The last Hajj flight is scheduled to depart from Dhaka on May 31.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, 87,100 Bangladeshis are set to perform Hajj this year. The Religious Affairs Ministry’s Hajj Office Director, M Lokman Hossain, disclosed that 5,200 pilgrims are traveling under government arrangements, while private operators are responsible for managing 81,900 pilgrims. Today alone, three Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights carrying 1,257 pilgrims, one Saudi Airlines flight with 404 pilgrims, and four Flynas Airlines flights with 1,540 pilgrims either left or are scheduled to leave Bangladesh for Jeddah.
The final flight with pilgrims is expected to reach Saudi Arabia by May 31. The ministry is regularly updating a Hajj bulletin, which recently reported the deaths of 12 pilgrims upon arrival in Saudi Arabia due to age-related or health complications.
So far, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has operated 98 flights transporting 37,746 pilgrims, Saudi Airlines has conducted 71 flights carrying 27,128 pilgrims, and Flynas Airlines has transported 8,373 pilgrims via 23 flights. The Hajj Office’s aviation plan outlines that Bangladesh Airlines will operate 118 Hajj flights, Saudi Airlines 80 flights, and Flynas 34 flights in total.
Officials stated that the remaining 12,752 pilgrims will arrive in Saudi Arabia by May 31. The pilgrimage commenced with the first Hajj flight departing from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 29. This year’s Hajj is anticipated to occur on June 5, although the exact date may vary depending on the lunar calendar. Return flights for the pilgrims are scheduled to begin on June 10 and conclude on July 10.