The hajj flights carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Hajj this year will begin from July 24. A total of 1,27,198 Bangladeshi pilgrims will perform the Hajj this year.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Hajj Jatri and Haji Kallayan Parishad has alleged that Bangladesh Biman authorities have increased the plane fare by Tk 2,867 against each ticket of the Hajj passengers ignoring the government decision.

The cabinet, on January 30, fixed the fare at Tk 1,24,723 for those who registered to perform the Hajj this year. But, Bangladesh Biman Airlines announced their ticket price on July 4 adding Tk 2,867 more with the government fixed price.

President of Bangladesh has demanded that the Biman authority withdraws the additional fare imposed ignoring the cabinet decision.

“It is unacceptable and illegal to increase the ticket price ignoring the government decision only 20 days ahead of the beginning of the hajj flights. We are urging the authorities concerned to withdraw the illegal decision immediately as the Hajj flights to start from July 24,” Naser said.

The cabinet in its meeting approved the ‘National Hajj and Umrah Policy 2017’ and Hajj Package 2017 and fixed the plane fares at $ 1,500 for each pilgrim.

As per the government offers, the cost of package-1 was fixed at Tk 3,81, 508, which was Tk 3,60, 028 last year, and package- 2 was fixed at Tk 3,19, 355, which was Tk 3,04, 913 last year.

Besides, the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) announced a package at Tk 3,19,350 per passenger for this year.