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Published : 29 Apr 2025, 02:40 AM
The first Hajj flight of 2025 has departed Dhaka, carrying 398 pilgrims.
Operated by Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia Airlines (Flight SV-803), the aircraft left Shahjalal International Airport at 2:11am on Tuesday.
The Boeing 777-300 aircraft is expected to land at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 6:00am local time, after spending approximately seven hours in the air.
A total of 4,180 pilgrims will depart for Saudi Arabia on the first day, spread out on 10 separate flights. Eight of these 10 flights will land in Jeddah and the remaining two in Madinah at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport.
Later, at 3:00am, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate its first Hajj flight of the season.
Earlier in the evening, Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain officially inaugurated the Hajj flight operations for the Islamic year 1446, or 2025, at the capital’s Ashkona Hajj Camp.
Following the inauguration, the advisor met with pilgrims, extending his best wishes and urging them to abide by Saudi Arabian laws and refrain from any behaviour that could tarnish the image of Bangladesh.
A total of 87,100 Bangladeshi pilgrims are set to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year. The government will arrange the travels of 5,200 pilgrims while trips of the remaining 81,900 will be managed by private Hajj agencies.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, three airlines will operate a combined total of 232 pre-Hajj flights. Biman Bangladesh Airlines will carry 44,307 pilgrims on 118 flights, Saudia will operate 80 flights for 32,740 pilgrims, and Flynas will transport 13,065 pilgrims on 34 flights.
The final pre-Hajj flight is scheduled for May 31, while return flights will begin on Jun 10, following the completion of the Hajj rituals.
To support pilgrims during their journey, a mobile application named “Labbaik” has been launched, offering essential features. Furthermore, pilgrims will receive prepaid Hajj cards and SIM cards with roaming.
Passengers departing via Shahjalal International Airport will also benefit from services under the Makkah Route Initiative, according to Major General Nurul Anwar, director general of the Department of Immigration and Passports.
The Makkah Route Initiative, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Pilgrim Experience Programme, is being implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Home Affairs.
The initiative currently offers dedicated airport lounges in 11 airports across seven countries: Bangladesh, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Ivory Coast.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Makkah Route Initiative aims to offer high-quality transport services to Hajj pilgrims from participating countries.
