Hajj pilgrims of the country are now able to complete their Saudi Arabia immigration process at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) without having to face hassles at various steps. They are happy with the new system as it saves at least eight to nine hours. It is to be noted, under the 'Makkah Route Initiatives' project, Bangladeshi hajjis along with those of five other countries can now complete their pre-arrival immigration formalities at the country’s airport before boarding the plane.
Mentionable, due to technical glitches in the online server of Saudi Arabia immigration system at the beginning, pilgrims could not avail pre-arrival immigration facilities at HSIA in Dhaka. However, as the technical problem is over now, pre-arrival immigration has started in full swing. A spokesperson said, under the Mecca Route Initiative 2.5 lakh pilgrims from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan and Tunisia will avail this visa facility. Under this, the pilgrims will have facilities including visa issues, health checkups, luggage checking and others.
"No formalities will be left for the Saudi Airport when pilgrims will go through 'Mecca Route Initiatives' from the country," a high official of religious affairs ministry told this correspondent. Biman Bangladesh Airlines Deputy General Manager (Public Relation) Tahera Khandaker said, in the beginning some technical problems did occur, which have been overcome by now.
“Every Saudi-bound flight departed HSIA as per schedule. Till now we have not got any complaint,” she added. On May 26 last, Religious Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah told the Bangladesh Post: “With an aim to remove the sufferings of lengthy immigration procedure at Makkah, the pilgrims this year would complete their required immigration formalities at HSIA before boarding the plane,” he said, adding, pilgrims from now on would not have to wait 10-12 hours at Jeddah airport.
“So, after reaching Saudi Arabia, a pilgrim would not be burdened by the anxiety of lengthy immigration process at Jeddah,” he further informed. Some 1,27,198 pilgrims from Bangladesh are set to perform hajj this year. Biman will carry 63,599 passengers, which is about half of the number of total hajj pilgrims. The remaining pilgrims will be flown by Saudi Airlines, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia.
Biman will operate 189 pre-hajj flights, 157 dedicated and 32 scheduled flights from July 4 till August 5 by its own four Boeing 777-300ER. The airline will operate 11 flights to Madinah from Dhaka for the first time this year. Apart from Dhaka, 19 hajj flights will be operated from Chattogram while three from Sylhet.
Biman will operate 176 post-hajj flights, 147 dedicated and 29 scheduled flights from August 17 to September 15. The airline will charge 200 US dollars per ticket in case of changing travel date, the release said adding that the cost per ticket will rise to 300 US dollars, if any pilgrim changes the travel date less than 24 hours of his/her scheduled flight.