Hajj flight begins from July 24

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon on Tuesday said the Hajj flights carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will start from July 24 and continue till August 26 this year. The first hajj flight, carrying 419 pilgrims, will take off from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:55am for Saudi Arabia, UNB reports quoting the minister on Tuesday. The minister said a total of 177 flights will carry hajj pilgrims till August 26. The return flight will start from September 6 and continue till October 5. The number of return flights will be 169. "Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Airlines will carry the Bangladeshi pilgrims," said Menon. Menon said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate Hajj activities, 2017 on July 22 at the Ashkona Hajj Camp. "Some 127,198 pilgrims will perform hajj from Bangladesh this year under government and private managements. Among the pilgrims, 4230 pilgrims will perform hajj under government management," he said. Menon said from this year flights carrying hajj pilgrims will also go to Madinah.