The first Hajj flight carrying 414 pilgrims has arrived in Jeddah
Hajj is expected to be observed on June 5, subject to the sighting of the moon.
The first Hajj flight of the year from Bangladesh arrived on Tuesday at the Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Operated by Saudia Airlines, the flight carried 414 pilgrims and landed at 7:30 AM local time, according to a press release from the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia.
Bangladesh's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Md Delwar Hossain, welcomed the pilgrims at the airport. He was joined by Consul General Md Mainul Kabir, Hajj Counsellor Md Jahirul Islam, and other officials from the Bangladesh Mission. On the Saudi side, Engineer Mazen Jawahar, Civil Aviation Adviser, and Salman Al Belabi, Director at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, along with other ministry officials, also extended a warm welcome to the pilgrims.
The ambassador assured that the Bangladesh missions in Saudi Arabia and the Hajj Mission would provide full support to the pilgrims throughout their stay. The arriving pilgrims expressed their gratitude for the warm reception and the efficient arrangements.
The Hajj Flight-2025 operations were formally inaugurated a day earlier in Dhaka at the Ashkona Hajj Camp. The ceremony was officiated by Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain, with Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik presiding. Additional Secretary of the Hajj Division Md Matiul Islam delivered the welcome address. Special guests included Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Secretary Nasreen Jahan, Chargé d’Affaires of the Saudi Embassy Abdulaziz Fahad M Al Ibrahim, CAAB Chairman Air Vice-Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, and HAAB President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmad Majumder.
On the first day, a total of 10 flights—eight to Jeddah and two to Madinah—operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudia, are scheduled to transport 4,180 pilgrims. This year, 232 pre-Hajj flights will be conducted by Biman, Saudia, and Flynas. Biman will operate 118 flights carrying 44,307 pilgrims, Saudia 80 flights for 32,740 pilgrims, and Flynas 34 flights transporting 13,065 pilgrims.
The pre-Hajj flight operations will conclude by May 31, while return flights are scheduled to commence on June 10, after the completion of Hajj rituals. A total of 87,100 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia this year, with 5,200 under government management and 81,900 through private arrangements.
Subject to moon sighting, Hajj is likely to be observed on June 5. To enhance convenience, a new mobile app offering transportation and other essential services has been launched. Pilgrims are also being provided with pre-paid Hajj cards and mobile SIMs with roaming facilities.
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