US-Bangla Airlines has expressed strong interest in operating dedicated Hajj flights, aiming to offer more affordable fares for Bangladeshi pilgrims while leveraging its expanding wide-body fleet to support high-demand religious travel.

Airline officials said the initiative is intended to make the annual pilgrimage more accessible by easing airfare pressure and enhancing service quality during the peak Hajj season. If approved, US-Bangla plans to operate flights on the Dhaka–Jeddah route, using its wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft to efficiently handle large passenger volumes.

Kamrul Islam, General Manager (Public Relations) of US-Bangla Airlines, said the carrier is fully prepared to enter Hajj operations.

“We are eager to operate Hajj flights. US-Bangla Airlines has all the necessary resources, including large aircraft and experienced crews, to manage these flights efficiently. Pilgrims have raised concerns about airfare, and if given the opportunity, we aim to offer competitive fares, potentially lower than current rates, without compromising service quality,” he said.

The airline spokesperson added that on-time performance would also be ensured throughout the journey.

It is worth noting that other airlines, such as Nas Air, operate Hajj flights in partnership with carriers like Saudi Arabian Airlines. “Similarly, there is no reason why US-Bangla could not operate Hajj flights in coordination with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, given the right approvals and arrangements,” Islam said.

Industry insiders noted that US-Bangla’s growing fleet strength places it in a strong position to support Hajj operations alongside the national carrier, potentially easing capacity constraints and increasing competition in the market.

Since commencing operations in 2014 with just two aircraft, US-Bangla Airlines has expanded its fleet to 25 aircraft, emerging as one of Bangladesh’s leading private carriers.

Aviation analysts said the airline’s entry into Hajj flights, if approved, could help stabilise fares, improve service standards for pilgrims, and further strengthen Bangladesh’s presence in the regional aviation sector.