A total of 77,432 Bangladeshi pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia on 199 flights so far this year to perform the holy Hajj. This marks the successful completion of the pre-Hajj flight operations.
Md. Lokman Hossain, Director of the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, confirmed the information on Friday (May 22).
According to Hajj Office sources, among the pilgrims who reached Saudi Arabia, 4,464 traveled under government management, while 72,968 went under private management.
This year, alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines, two foreign carriers transported the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Of the total arrivals, Biman Bangladesh Airlines carried 38,702 passengers on 98 flights, Saudia transported 27,340 passengers on 73 flights, and Flynas carried 11,390 passengers on 28 flights.
Bangladesh was granted a total quota of 78,500 pilgrims for this year's Hajj, which included 4,565 under government management and 73,935 under private management. A total of 660 agencies—comprising 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies—are managing this year's Hajj operations.
Earlier, the inaugural Hajj flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines departed for Jeddah on the night of April 17, carrying 418 pilgrims.
According to the latest Hajj bulletin from Saudi Arabia, 21 Bangladeshi pilgrims have passed away in the Kingdom so far. Among them are 15 men and 6 women; 14 passed away in Mecca and 7 in Medina.
Meanwhile, the Saudi medical team assigned to pilgrim healthcare has provided necessary medical treatment to 43,440 Bangladeshi pilgrims as of Friday. Additionally, 20,288 pilgrims received digital services and informational support through the IT helpdesk.
The holy Hajj will be performed on May 26. Following the completion of the Hajj rituals, return flights from Jeddah to Dhaka will commence on May 30 and continue until June 30.
