Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain formally inaugurated the Hajj Flight-2025 operations this evening at the Ashkona Hajj Camp in the capital.
The first Hajj flight, operated by Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia Airlines, has departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:15 am on early Tuesday, carrying 398 pilgrims to Jeddah aboard flight SV3803, reports BSS.
On the first day, 10 flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudia will transport a total of 4,180 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia — eight flights to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and two flights to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
Speaking as the chief guest at the ceremony, Dr. Hossain urged the pilgrims to abide by Saudi Arabia’s laws and to refrain from any activities that could tarnish the image of Bangladesh abroad.
"We are committed to ensuring that our pilgrims can perform Hajj at a reasonable cost," the adviser said, adding that the government is working to simplify all procedures from registration to the completion of the pilgrimage.
He expressed hope that next year’s Hajj management would see many positive changes.
Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik presided over the inaugural ceremony, while Additional Secretary of the Hajj Division Md. Matiul Islam delivered the welcome address.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan, Chargé d’Affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka Abdulaziz Fahad M. Al Ibrahim, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal Md. Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, and Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmad Majumder also spoke as special guests.
Two pilgrims also shared their experiences and expressed satisfaction with this year’s Hajj arrangements. A documentary highlighting the Hajj operations was screened at the event.
This year, Bangladesh’s national flag carrier Biman, along with Saudi Arabian airlines Saudia and Flynas, will operate a total of 232 pre-Hajj flights to transport Bangladeshi pilgrims.
Bangladesh Biman will operate 118 flights carrying 44,307 pilgrims, Saudia will run 80 flights transporting 32,740 pilgrims, and Flynas will operate 34 flights for 13,065 pilgrims.
Pre-Hajj flights are scheduled to conclude by May 31, with return flights set to begin on June 10 after completion of the Hajj rituals.
A total of 87,100 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia this year, including 5,200 under government management and 81,900 under private arrangements.
Subject to moon sighting, Hajj is likely to be observed on June 5.
A new mobile application featuring transport and other essential services for pilgrims has been launched this year.
Additionally, pilgrims are being provided with pre-paid Hajj cards and mobile SIM cards with roaming facilities.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
