As of late Monday night, a total of 52,334 Bangladeshi pilgrims have successfully arrived in Saudi Arabia to participate in the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage. According to the latest official bulletin released on Tuesday, these pilgrims traveled via 134 specialized flights from Dhaka to various airports in the Kingdom, primarily Jeddah and Medina. The data, consolidated by the Hajj Help Desk from sources including the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Hajj Office, confirms that the transport phase is progressing steadily as the start of the religious rituals draws near.
The logistics of this massive operation are being shared among three major carriers. Biman Bangladesh Airlines has transported the largest portion so far, carrying 25,073 pilgrims across 63 flights. Saudi Airlines followed with 49 flights carrying 18,402 passengers, while Flynas Airlines operated 22 flights to bring 8,889 pilgrims to the Kingdom. Out of the total arrivals, 4,071 individuals are traveling under government management, while the vast majority—48,263 pilgrims—are being managed by private Hajj agencies. This distribution reflects the high demand for private sector coordination in the annual pilgrimage.
For the 2026 Hajj season, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshis have been authorized to perform Hajj. The management is being handled by a network of 660 licensed agencies, which includes 30 primary agencies and 630 coordinating bodies. The first flight of the season, BG3001, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 17 with 419 pilgrims. The inaugural ceremony for the flight was led by Prime Minister Tariq Rahman, marking the official start of the Hajj journey for the nation. Since then, hundreds of thousands of relatives have visited the airport to bid farewell to the departing pilgrims.
The official breakdown indicates that 4,565 pilgrims will perform Hajj under the government`s direct supervision, while 73,935 are registered through the private sector. Based on the sighting of the moon, Hajj is expected to take place on May 26, 2026. Following the conclusion of the rituals, return flights from Jeddah are scheduled to begin on May 30. The final flight bringing pilgrims back to Dhaka is expected to depart on June 30, concluding the month-long return operation. Authorities have expressed satisfaction with the flight schedule so far, noting minimal delays compared to previous years.
Currently, pilgrims who have arrived in Saudi Arabia are spending their time in religious activities in Medina and Makkah. The Bangladesh Hajj Mission has established medical centers and help desks in both cities to provide essential support to the elderly and those in need of assistance. Pilgrims are advised to follow health guidelines strictly due to the warm weather expected during the pilgrimage period. With approximately 26,000 pilgrims yet to depart from Bangladesh, the airlines are working round the clock to complete the remaining flights within the designated timeframe.
