Prime minister Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the Hajj flight tonight around 11:30pm at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), according to a source from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

The first flight this time will depart around 12:30 AM tonight carrying 419 passengers from Dhaka’s HSIA towards King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

On this occasion, final preparations are ongoing at the Ashkona Hajj Camp in the capital. Multi-layered security arrangements have been established in the camp and airport areas. After inspecting the camp, the Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, said that strict action will be taken if there is any negligence in serving the Hajj pilgrims.

He said, “The pilgrims are guests of Allah. Prime minister has clearly instructed that if they (pilgrims) are not treated well, if their facilities are not properly ensured--there would be no hesitation in taking strict measures.”

As one of the largest Hajj-pilgrim-sending countries in the world, about 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh will go to Saudi Arabia this year. Among them, 4,565 will perform Hajj under government management and 73,935 through private agencies.

About 50 percent of the total pilgrims will be transported by Biman Bangladesh Airlines while remaining pilgrims by Saudia and Flynas.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the first Hajj flight from Bangladesh this year will depart at 12:20 AM on 18 April. Carrying 419 pilgrims, the flight will leave HISA for King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

A total of 14 flights are scheduled to be operated on the first day. Among them, there will be 6 flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 3 of Saudia, and 3 of Flynas.

The pre-Hajj flights will end on 21 May. This year, a total of 207 pre-Hajj flights have been scheduled, of which Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate 102, Saudia 75, and Flynas 30 flights.

Depending on the sighting of the moon, the holy Hajj is expected to be held on 26 May. After the completion of the Hajj rituals, return flights will begin on 30 May and will continue until 1 July.