Hajj Flight Begins Sept 29
1,07,343 to perform Hajj this year
A record high 1,07,343 Hajj pilgrims will be carried by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and 14 other airlines beginning September 29.
“We have taken all necessary measures to arrange flights for a record number of 1,07,343 Hajj pilgrims this year,” said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister GM Quader yesterday.
The number of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims were more than 90,000 last year and around 50,000 in 2009.
Speaking to reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting on Hajj management at his ministry, Quader said the flights would continue till October 30 and the return flights will be held from November 10 to December 10.
The ministry raised its arrangement capacity for Hajj pilgrims to 1,43,349 individuals against a projection of 1,07,343 by the religious affairs ministry, he said.
Biman and Civil Aviation Authority signed separate agreements with 14 other airlines as third carriers to ensure that all Hajj pilgrims reach their destination on time, Quader said.
Quader requested all the intending Hajj pilgrims and their agencies to buy their air tickets as early as possible to ensure a smooth journey to Saudi Arabia.
Biman already leased a Boeing 747 with a passenger capacity of 506 to carry the Hajj pilgrims. “Biman will also use its DC 10 aircraft to operate the flights," Quader said.
Biman is carrying 36,225 pilgrims while Saudi Arabian Airlines will carry 30,000, NAS Air 24,624, GMG Airlines 14,000, Gulf Air 9,000, Emirate Airlines 7,000, Qatar Airways 4,500, United Airways 4,000, Kuwait Airways 3,000, Air Arabia 2,500, Etihad Airways 2,500, Jet Airways 2,000, RAK airways 1,000, Malaysia Airlines 1,000, Turkish Airlines 1,000 and Pakistan International Airlines 1,000.
Among them, Biman, Saudi Arabian Airlines, GMG Airlines and NAS Air will operate dedicated Hajj flights from Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet, said the minister.
“We can overcome all possible risk of failing to carry the devotees if all quarters concerned follow our instructions,” he said.
Government management will see to 3,770 Hajj devotees while the remaining 1,03,570 will perform Hajj under private arrangements, religious affairs ministry said.
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