Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) urged the government to fulfil their charter of demands including reopening a third carrier for smooth flying of Hajj pilgrims apart from Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
“If the third carrier is introduced, the pilgrims will enjoy a safe and smooth journey,” HAAB President Mohammad Ibrahim Bahar said this on Saturday while raising their charter of demands at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club here.
He said the pilgrims experienced an uncertainty as well as untold sufferings in 2012 due to mismanagement of Bangladesh Biman and Saudi Airlines, though they (pilgrims) had to pay extra money for air ticket.
“Meanwhile, Bangladeshi pilgrims witnessed a high-quality hajj management system in three years – 2009 to 2011 — as the third carrier option was open,” the HAAB president added.
The other demands of HAAB include: getting back Taka 10 crore of different hajj agencies deposited earlier to the religious ministry, announcement of flight schedule before Ramzan of 1434 Hijri, setting up 35-day hajj package, ensuring same plane fare for direct Hajj flight from Sylhet and Chittagong, and replacement of pilgrims in case of failure due to sudden death or accident or any other unavoidable circumstances.
HAAB sources said the holy Hajj of 2014 (1435 Hijri) will be held on October 4 this year (based on moon sighting).
A total of 1.01 lakh Hajj pilgrims –10,000 people under the government management and 91,000 others under private ones-are expected to perform Hajj this year.
