Complications in securing visas for pilgrims this year led to the shortage of passengers.
The situation was further worsened by the Saudi authorities’ sudden move to impose an additional 2,000 riyals on pilgrims, who performed Hajj in the last two years, which came alongside a hike in the fees for guides in Saudi Arabia.
More than 7,000 pilgrims could have gone to Saudi Arabia in those cancelled flights.
“It’s a very challenging situation and it needs to be improved,” Managing Director AM Mosaddique Ahmed said at a media briefing.
As many as 127,198 Bangladeshis are estimated to perform the annual Muslim pilgrimage this year, which is expected to be held between Aug 30 and Sep 4, depending on moon sighting.Since Jul 24, around 40,000 pilgrims from Bangladesh have been able to make the journey. Of them, 24,000 have been carried by Biman.
Ahmed, who is also Biman’s CEO, finds it quite tough to manage flights for the remaining 52,000 pilgrims in a span of one week.
Replying to a query on Saudia Airline’s operations during the Hajj season, he said the airline carries pilgrims on scheduled flights and does not operate separate flights.
“But the flights cancelled by Biman were reserved for the pilgrims.”
Source: bdnews24
