Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the Hajj flights at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Friday night, BSS reports. 

The Premier officially opened the first Hajj flight (BG3001) at 11:57 p.m. on Friday. The flight left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here at 12:20 a.m. on Saturday and flew to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with 418 pilgrims on board.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman arrived at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:30pm on Friday and went straight inside the aircraft.

At that time, he talked to each of the pilgrims onboard and shook hands with them while presenting them with gifts.

The Prime Minister prayed inside the plane, asking Allah for help in completing the Hajj rituals successfully.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spoke to the Hajj pilgrims and requested them to pray for the country and its people."

He said, “The Prime Minister said his government has worked to resolve the problems encountered during the Hajj. He expressed hope that this system will be further improved in the future.”

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita), State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, and Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah were present on the occasion, among others.

Earlier, the Prime Minister went to the Ashkona Hajj Camp in the city and said hello to the Hajj pilgrims who were there. He started a medical camp there for the pilgrims.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs says that there are 14 flights planned for today. Biman Bangladesh Airlines will fly six of them, Saudia Airlines will fly four, and Flynas will fly four.

Airlines will end pre-hajj flights on May 21. A total of 207 pre-hajj flights are scheduled, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines operating 102, Saudia operating 75, and Flynas operating 30.

Bangladesh, one of the world's largest Hajj pilgrim-sending countries, is expected to send around 78,500 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year. Of them, 4,565 pilgrims will perform Hajj under government management, while 73,935 will under private agencies.

About half of the people going on the hajj will fly with Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The other half will fly with Saudia or Flynas.

Subject to moon sighting, the holy Hajj is expected to be held on May 26, 2026.

Return flights will start on May 30, after the Hajj rituals are over, and will run until July 1.