Hajj flights begin on June 5

The first hajj flight of this year will leave Dhaka for Saudi Arabia on June 5 instead of May 31.

The religious affairs ministry yesterday issued a gazette notification in this regard saying that the first hajj flight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been delayed to ensure smooth completion of pre-arrival immigration formalities of pilgrims in Dhaka.

It said pre-arrival immigration for Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims is scheduled to be done at the Dhaka airport under the Route to Makkah Initiative.

The notification said the Saudi Arabian authority informed that its 40-member team of Route to Makkah Initiative will not be able to reach Dhaka before June 2.

The team will carry with it necessary devices and equipment. Later, the devices and equipment will be installed at the airport which will take time.

The ministry has also asked the authorities concerned in Bangladesh to make necessary arrangements to begin hajj flights on the rescheduled date.