The Government of Bangladesh has officially authorized three airlines to transport Hajj pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj season, imposing 15 specific conditions to prevent mismanagement and passenger harassment. The selected carriers are Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines Ltd.), and Flynas Airlines Ltd. This decision was announced in a circular issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on October 8, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Safiuzzaman Bhuiyan.

According to the circular, the Hajj of 1447 Hijri is expected to take place on May 26, 2025, subject to the sighting of the moon, and the departure of Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will begin from April 18, 2025.

The circular outlines that after the completion of pilgrim registrations under both government and private management, passenger quotas will be allocated to each airline based on their respective capacities. Airlines must operate dedicated flights to Jeddah and Madinah airports in accordance with the terms of their agreements. Tickets must be issued at the government-declared fare under the official Hajj package, and no extra charges may be taken for business class seats.

Additionally, airlines are required to submit a draft flight schedule within seven days of quota allocation to the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority for approval, with a copy to be submitted to the Ministry. The final approved schedule must be published on the airline's website and the Hajj portal between January 5 and 7, 2025.

Further directives include:

• Airlines must manage ticket issuance and provide all required information through the e-Hajj system, and keep pilgrims informed via SMS notifications.

• In case of a pilgrim's death or failure to depart, there must be a clear refund policy in place.

• No airline is allowed to carry more passengers than their allocated quota; any violation will be considered a breach of Hajj management protocols.

• Airlines must show an instructional video about Hajj rituals during the flight. Failure to do so will be treated as negligence.

In terms of aircraft requirements, large-capacity planes capable of carrying 200 to 800 passengers must be used. Airlines are also required to ensure courteous behavior, quality food, and appropriate services for all pilgrims.

The Ministry emphasized that all 15 conditions must be strictly adhered to in the interest of a smooth and safe Hajj operation.

Registration Shortfall and Extension

Despite preparations, this year’s Hajj registration has seen a significant shortfall. The initial deadline for Hajj registration ended on October 12, but less than one-third of the quota was filled. In response to a request by the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), the government has extended the registration deadline to October 16.

A directive issued on October 13 states that after the extended deadline, Hajj agencies must submit pilgrim lists on their official letterhead to the Ashkona Hajj Office, after which the government will verify and take further steps.

According to the official Hajj management website, as of now, a total of 39,096 pilgrims have registered — including 3,663 under government management and 35,433 under private management. This is far below the total allocated Hajj quota of 127,198 for Bangladesh.