More landing slots in Jedda for hajj flights sought

The decision has been taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the secretariat yesterday. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon presided over the meeting. The national flag carrier, Biman, has already lost around 5,000 seat capacity as hajj agencies did not buy air ticket or book seat in time. After the meeting, Rashed Khan Menon told journalists Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh will make a list of those that have already rented apartments. Biman will have to sell air tickets according to the list and the Ministry of Religious Affairs would take necessary steps in this regard. The Aviation Ministry held the inter-ministrial meeting to address the recent problem. Expressing its concern, Biman management on Wednesday in a statement asked all hajj agencies to confirm air tickets within 72 hours, otherwise, the situation would deteriorate. But the hajj agencies didn’t act according to the Biman request till yesterday. A source in the meeting said Mosaddique Ahmed informed the meeting that a total 10 hajj flights have been cancelled by Biman which is very much alarming for the airliner as the slots are limited. A marketing official of Biman said the national flag carrier will carry around 51,000 hajj pilgrims while 50,758 would be carried by Saudia airlines.