The first hajj flight carrying 419 Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital on Sunday morning. The flight ‘BG-1011’ of Biman Bangladesh Airlines departed from the airport at 8:35am, said in a press release of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Religious Affairs Minister Matiur Rahman and high officials of the two ministries concerned saw the pilgrims off at the airport. The press release also said the flight ‘BG-3011’ will take off at 2:35pm carrying 419 pilgrims, ‘BG-5011’ will take off at 8:35pm carrying 419 pilgrims and ‘BG-0035’ will depart at 11:59pm today (Sunday). The hajj flights will be operated from Chittagong and Sylhet as well. Earlier on August 12, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the hajj programme 2015 at the Hajj Camp at Ashkona in the city. The holy hajj is likely to be performed this year on September 24 subject to moon sighting. A total of 1, 01,758 pilgrims from Bangladesh will perform hajj this year. The number of Bangladeshi pilgrims was 98,762 last year. Bangladesh Airlines will carry half of the hajj passengers while Saudi Airlines the remaining ones. The hajj flights will continue until September 17. The return flights will start coming on September 28 and continue till October 28. — Dhaka, Aug 16 (UNB)
