<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Biman Bangladesh Airlines will use its own aircraft this year for operating Hajj flights instead of leasing planes.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“As we don’t benefit from the leasing process, we have decided to use our own aircraft for Hajj flights,” Shafiul Azim, CEO and managing director of the national flag carrier, told UNB.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Read more: Mecca Route Initiative agreement to make Bangladeshi pilgrims' journey easier: Shahriar</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Biman authorities discussed the decision at an inter-ministerial meeting on Wednesday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We are preparing in advance to ensure smooth operation of Hajj flights,” the Biman CEO said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The decision follows the airline’s experience from last year’s Hajj flights. It used four of its widebody planes for last year’s Hajj flights.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Md. Faridul Haq Khan, state minister for religious affairs, told UNB that Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudia Airlines will carry 50 percent of Hajj pilgrims each this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“According to the Saudi-Bangladesh Hajj Treaty of 2023, Bangladeshi pilgrims can perform Hajj this year as per full quota,” he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also said that Hajj packages will be announced by January 25–30.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In response to a question about package prices, he said prices will not be increased this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Passengers may have to spend a slightly higher amount for the increased dollar price, however,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A total of 1,27,198 Bangladeshis can perform Hajj this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Faridul Haq Khan also said the age limit has been withdrawn and Bangladeshis over the age of 65 can perform Hajj this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pre-arrival immigration for all Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims will be completed in Dhaka under the ‘Road to Makkah’ agreement. However, the Saudi authorities may decide to reduce the permitted number of pilgrims if the Covid-19 situation worsens, he concluded. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>