First Hajj flight scheduled for Apr 18, PM Tarique to inaugurate

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 78,500 people from Bangladesh will perform Hajj in 2026

Hajj flights will start from Apr 18, according to the Hajj management roadmap announced by the Saudi Arabian government.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will officially inaugurate the flights at 11:35pm on Apr 17 at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a media statement on Thursday that this year's inaugural Hajj flight from Bangladesh will leave the Dhaka airport for King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah, at 12:20am on Apr 18, carrying 419 pilgrims.

There are a total of 14 flights scheduled on the day, of which Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate six, the Saudi-based Saudia Airlines will operate four, and Flynas Airlines will operate four.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism said in a message on Thursday that the overall preparations for Hajj management are already complete.

According to the religious affairs ministry, 78,500 people from Bangladesh will perform Hajj in 2026.

Of them, 4,565 will conduct the pilgrimage through a government package and 73,935 through private means, i.e. through Hajj agencies.

According to the Hajj agreement signed with Saudi Arabia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will transport 50 percent of the total Hajj pilgrims.

Of the remaining 50 percent, Saudia will transport 35 percent and Flynas will transport 15 percent.

The pre-Hajj flights will end on May 21.

There will be 207 pre-Hajj flights; of which Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate 102, Saudia 75 and Flynas 30.

The Hajj may be held on May 26, subject to the sighting of the moon.

After the Hajj formalities, the return flights will start on May 30 and end on Jul 1.