Hajj flights to begin on April 29

The Hajj flights for this year will begin on Apr 29, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has announced.

A total of 87,100 pilgrims from Bangladesh are set to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in 2025.

As in the previous year, state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines will transport half of the pilgrims, while Saudia Airlines and Flynas will carry the remaining half.

The information was disclosed during a meeting on "smooth Hajj management" held at the Tourism Building in Agargaon on Tuesday afternoon.

The meeting was presided over by Nasreen Jahan, secretary of the civil aviation and tourism ministry, according to a media statement from the ministry.

Representatives from relevant ministries, airlines, and Hajj agencies attended the meeting.

To ensure smooth Hajj transportation, the civil aviation ministry has formed a task force and a monitoring committee.

According to the statement, Hajj for the Islamic year 1446 or 2025 will take place on Jun 5, depending on moon sighting.

The Hajj flights will commence on Apr 29 and continue until May 31.

"A total of 87,100 Bangladeshi pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year," the statement said.

"Biman Bangladesh Airlines will transport 50 percent, or 43,550, of the pilgrims, while Saudia Airlines will carry 35 percent and Flynas the remaining 15 percent," it added.

The airfare for this year has been set at Tk 167,820 per pilgrim.

The meeting also discussed flight schedules, arrangements for Bangladeshis registered for Hajj from abroad, passenger numbers on each flight, luggage management, and other logistical preparations.

Authorities have decided to upload all relevant information to an online portal to ensure smooth operations.

Saudi Arabia had allocated a quota of 127,198 pilgrims for Bangladesh this year.

However, as in the previous year, around 33 percent of the quota remained unfilled.

In 2024, a total of 85,257 Bangladeshis performed Hajj.

With costs slightly reduced this year, the number of pilgrims has increased to 87,100.