PM to open Hajj flights today

Bangladesh's 2026 Hajj flight operations will officially begin at early Saturday (April 18) in line with the roadmap announced by the Saudi authorities, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman set to inaugurate the programme formally late on Friday at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

According to the schedule, the inauguration ceremony will take place at 11:35 pm on Friday at the capital's main airport. The first Hajj flight from Bangladesh is scheduled to depart at 12:20 am on April 18, carrying 419 pilgrims to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

A total of 12 Hajj flights are scheduled for the opening day. Of these, six will be operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, while three flights  each will be operated by Saudia and Flynas.

This year, 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh are expected to perform Hajj. Among them, 4,565 pilgrims will travel under the government management scheme, while 73,935 will travel through private Hajj agencies. The visas of almost all pilgrims have already been issued from the Saudi Arabian Embassy.

Under the bilateral Hajj agreement signed between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, 50 percent of Bangladeshi pilgrims will be transported by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Of the remaining 50 percent, Saudia will carry 35 percent and Flynas will transport the remaining 15 percent.

Pre-Hajj flight operations will continue until May 21. A total of 207 outbound flights have been scheduled for the season, including 102 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 75 by Saudia and 30 by Flynas.