Hajj packages for 2027 announced

The government on Tuesday announced the official Hajj packages for 2027, fixing the airfare for Bangladeshi pilgrims at Tk 130,000, despite a proposal from US-Bangla Airlines to transport all pilgrims for Tk 98,000 each. The lowest government Hajj package has been fixed at Tk 505,648, while the premium package will cost Tk 615,263.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad unveiled the packages at a press conference at the Secretariat.

For pilgrims travelling through private Hajj agencies, the standard package has been fixed at Tk 513,648. Following the government's announcement, private Hajj agencies are scheduled to announce their own packages today (Wednesday). However, their lowest package cannot be priced below the government's economy package, though there is no ceiling on premium packages as long as the pricing remains reasonable.

The government fixed the airfare at Tk 130,000 per pilgrim, down Tk 24,830 from last year's fare of Tk 154,830. The decision came despite US-Bangla Airlines offering to carry all Bangladeshi pilgrims for Tk 98,000 each.

The minister said the lower airfare reflected the government's commitment to making Hajj more affordable. He noted that the airfare stood at nearly Tk 200,000 in 2023 during the Sheikh Hasina administration before declining to Tk 167,820 in 2025, Tk 154,830 in 2026 and Tk 130,000 for the 2027 Hajj season.

The premium government package includes accommodation within 1,000-1,400 metres of the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Makkah and in the Markaziya area of Madinah. Pilgrims will stay in Zone-2 tents in Mina, receive Service Package-3 facilities and meals in Mina and Arafat, and spend 35-40 days in Saudi Arabia. Optional room upgrades and shorter-duration packages will be available at additional cost.

The economy package offers accommodation within two to three kilometres of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and within 800 metres of the Prophet's Mosque outside the Markaziya area in Madinah. Pilgrims will stay in Zone-5 tents in Mina, with shuttle bus services provided where accommodation is located more than two kilometres from the Haram.

Under the standard private package, agencies must arrange accommodation within three kilometres of the Grand Mosque and within one kilometre of the Prophet's Mosque. A maximum of six pilgrims will be allowed in each room. Pilgrims will stay in Zone-5 tents and receive Service Package-3 facilities and meals in Mina and Arafat.

The minister said all eligible Hajj agencies must form groups based on the minimum quota set by the Saudi authorities before registration begins. Agencies may introduce up to three additional packages, provided none offers services below the standard of Government Package-2.