On Thursday morning, the first flight carrying 419 pilgrims departed from Dhaka to Saudi Arabia, marking the commencement of the holy Hajj pilgrimage for this year.

The flight, operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, with Religion Minister Faridul Haque Khan inaugurating the momentous occasion.

According to official notifications, a total of 86,527 pilgrims from Bangladesh will undertake the Hajj pilgrimage this year. Biman Bangladesh Airlines will transport 50 percent of these pilgrims, amounting to 43,899 individuals, through 116 dedicated pre-Hajj flights. These flights include routes from Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet to both Jeddah and Madina.

Post-Hajj, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will continue its dedicated service with 125 flights, facilitating the return journey of pilgrims from Jeddah and Madina to various cities in Bangladesh.

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for pilgrims, sufficient manpower has been deployed at airports in Jeddah and Madina, as well as at the Hajj office in Dhaka. Additionally, facilities for ticket issuance have been arranged at Biman sales counters in the Dhaka Hajj Office.

The inauguration of this year's Hajj program was conducted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Ashkona Hajj Camp on Wednesday (May 8), symbolizing the beginning of the sacred journey for pilgrims from Bangladesh.

The holy Hajj is scheduled to take place on June 16, contingent upon the sighting of the moon, with a total of 85,257 pilgrims from Bangladesh expected to participate in this spiritually significant event in 2024.