The first return flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines bringing Hajj pilgrims back to the country was delayed by around 12 hours yesterday.
The flight left Saudi Arabia around 2pm local time and landed at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 8:27pm. It was supposed to land at 9am.
The Biman authorities said the flight was delayed as Hajj pilgrims had reported to the terminal late.
Biman’s Public Relations Officer Tasnim Aktar said: “This is a regular scenario every year.
“The flight left Saudi Arabia at 2pm for Bangladesh. The next flights are expected to land on time.”
A total of 419 Hajj pilgrims have returned to the country by the first flight of Biman Bangladesh.
Another flight of the Biman is also scheduled to arrive at the Shahjalal International Airport at 12:30am today with the same number of Hajj pilgrims.
Biman will operate return flights until October 28, Tasnim said.
The Biman Bangladesh Airlines this year will operate 140 return flights for the Hajj pilgrims which will carry 54,845 people from Jeddah to Dhaka.
Of the 140 flights, 31 are regular flights while the rest are special ones.
