Hajj Flights: Govt warns Biman, Saudia

A number of Madinah-bound pilgrims are being taken to Jeddah almost every day on scheduled flights of Biman and Saudia. As a result, the pilgrims, after their long journey to Jeddah, have to make another one to Madinah -- which is 450 kilometres away from Jeddah -- by road.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has warned Biman and Saudia airlines for carrying hajj pilgrims to Jeddah instead of their scheduled destination -- Madinah, making pilgrims suffer.

In a letter to the two airlines, the ministry said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also expressed its concern over the matter.

According to the religious affairs ministry, a number of Madinah-bound pilgrims are being taken to Jeddah almost every day on scheduled flights of Biman and Saudia.

As a result, the pilgrims, after their long journey to Jeddah, have to make another one to Madinah -- which is 450 kilometres away from Jeddah -- by road. This is causing indescribable suffering to them, said the letter.

The Saudi ministry summoned Jahirul Islam, Bangladesh hajj office counsellor in Jeddah, and informed that the "route to Makkah" initiative was taken to lessen the sufferings of pilgrims.

"But the hajj pilgrims are being harassed with a longer journey instead," said the ministry.

"We are instructing [Biman and Saudia] to refrain from such activities to protect the image of the country abroad and not to send any Madinah-bound hajis to Jeddah."

Meanwhile, a total of 15,724 pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia by 42 flights till June 16.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has so far operated 24 hajj flights, while Saudia and Flynas operated 13 and 5 flights, respectively.

The first flight of hajj pilgrims left Bangladesh on June 5, and flights will continue till July 4.

This year, a total of 57,585 Bangladeshis will be able to perform hajj. Of them, 4,000 will do so under government management and the rest 53,585 under private management.