First batch of hajj pilgrims flies to KSA

The first batch of 518 hajj pilgrims flew for Saudi Arabia yesterday as Biman Bangladesh Airlines started month-long hajj-flight operations.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister GM Quader, as chief guest, inaugurated the Biman Hajj Operations 2009 at Zia International Airport at noon. State Minister for Religious Affairs M Shahjahan Mia was present as special guest.

The pre-hajj flight operations will continue till November 21 while the post-hajj flights carrying the hajjis back will start on December 1 and continue till January 1.

A total of 58,634 pilgrims will perform hajj this year. Of them, 8,214 are going to Saudi Arabia under government arrangements while 50,420 under private arrangements.

Of the total pilgrims, Biman will carry about 38,634 pilgrims while Saudi Arabian Airlines the rest 20,000.

Bangladesh Biman will carry these pilgrims by 77 dedicated hajj flights and 32 scheduled flights. Of the 77 flights, two flights will be operated directly from Chittagong and one from Sylhet.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Shafique Alam Mehdi, Biman Board Chairman Air Marshal Jamal Uddin Ahmed, members of the Biman Board of Directors, managing director and CEO of Biman Air Commodore (retd) Muhammad Zakiul Islam, Director Zia (CAAB) Wing Commander Shahidur Rahman and other high officials of Civil Aviation and Biman were also present on the occassion.

A special prayer was offered for the hajjis' welfare during their pilgrimage to the holy Makkah.

All pilgrims, travelling by dedicated hajj flights, will complete immigration and customs formalities at the Hajj Camp while pilgrims of scheduled flights at the airport as usual.