Hajj ticket price to be reduced by Tk. 20,000
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is considering a proposal to reduce the price of Hajj flight tickets by Tk. 20,000 this year. As a result, the price of Hajj return tickets may be Tk. 175,000.
The interim government has taken the initiative to reduce the price of this year's Hajj package. This new fare of Biman may be determined as part of this. Last year, the price of this ticket was Tk. 194,000. Hajj may be held in the first week of June next year. This time, 127,198 people will be able to go for Hajj. An agreement related to Hajj will be signed with Saudi Arabia on January 13.
The registration of Hajj passengers has started from September 1. So far, 2,000 Hajj passengers have officially registered for Hajj. More than 63,000 Hajj passengers have registered privately so far.
Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain has taken the initiative from the beginning to complete this year's Hajj journey in an affordable package.
Meanwhile, if VAT, airport usage fees, and other expenses are waived, Hajj pilgrims can get another Tk. 10,000 discount from these places.
It is expected that Hajj pilgrims will be able to go for Hajj at a total cost of TK. 30,000 if they get discounts on air ticket prices and other expenses. Last year, the Saudi riyal exchange rate for Hajj was 29.74 taka, this time it has increased to 32 taka. Therefore, other expenses in Saudi Arabia may increase by about TK. 24,000.
To reduce the cost of Hajj this time, the government is examining whether it is possible to send Hajj pilgrims by sea. This will reduce the cost of Hajj by 40 percent. It will take about 16 days to go for Hajj by sea (round trip).
Meanwhile, the government has emphasized the zero tolerance policy regarding irregularities in Hajj. Along with this, the rule that officials and employees were allowed to accompany Hajj pilgrims for free during this year's Hajj is being discontinued.
It is worth noting that the holy Hajj is scheduled to be celebrated on June 1, subject to the sighting of the moon. Bangladesh has received a quota of 127,198 people for the 2025 Hajj. The Hajj agreement with the Saudi government will be concluded on January 13. This year's Hajj package will be announced on October 30.