First Hajj flights take off on Apr 18

Eight flights are scheduled to transport 3,255 Bangladeshi pilgrims on the opening day

The first flights carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj will depart on Apr 18.

On the opening day, eight flights are scheduled to transport 3,255 pilgrims from Bangladesh, according to officials.

Under new instructions from Saudi authorities, pilgrims registered under the same Hajj agency will be required to travel on the same flight this year.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs said a directive regarding the matter had been sent on Sunday to Hajj agency owners and the three airlines authorised to carry Bangladeshi pilgrims.

According to the ministry, the arrangements are in line with the Hajj Package and Guidelines 2026. At least 20 percent of each agency’s pilgrims must travel during the middle phase of the pre-Hajj flights, while 30-50 percent must be accommodated in both the initial and final phases.

The guidelines also say that agencies cannot issue fewer than 30 percent or more than 50 percent of their tickets in either the first or last phase of the pre-Hajj operations.

Subject to the sighting of the moon, Hajj is expected to start on May 26.

Under the bilateral Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia, up to 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh will be allowed to perform Hajj this year.