Flights for 54,000 hajj pilgrims will start from October 20, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister GM Quader said after an inter-ministerial meeting at the secretariat yesterday.
As many as 54,000 pilgrims from Bangladesh, including about 8,000 ballottees are expected to perform hajj this year.
Quader said his ministry is closely monitoring the activities so that every facility is ensured for the hajj pilgrims. “We have already finalised accommodation for the ballottees,” he said.
The ministry, however, is yet to confirm hiring adequate aircraft for carrying the devotees. The minister said a process to hire two aircraft for carrying the hajj pilgrims is underway. He hoped that the return flights would start from December 1.
On July 10, the minister gave an assurance that the hajj pilgrims would not face any aircraft crisis this year as several aircraft would join Biman fleet on lease within one and a half months.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Shahjahan Mia, Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, Acting Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury, Acting Secretary of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Hedayetullah Al Mamun, Managing Director of Biman air commodore (retd) Zakiul Islam and representatives from other concerned bodies were present.