Hajj pilgrim fare to decrease further, Tk 55,000 in 4 years
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Every year, airfares for Hajj pilgrims used to increase. This was a consistent trend until 2023. The cost of the Hajj package became excessively high due to this airfare hike, pushing the expense beyond the reach of ordinary people.
In 2023, the airfare for Hajj pilgrims was the highest, set at Tk 1,97,797. The package cost was also at a record high. After various criticisms, the fare was slightly reduced in 2024, cut by Tk 3,000. In 2025, it decreased further by Tk 26,980 compared to the previous year. For the 2026 Hajj, it was reduced by another Tk 12,990.
For the next year (2027), Biman has proposed reducing the fare by another Tk 12,524, meaning the fare next year will be Tk 1,42,306. As a result, over the past four years, airfare for Hajj pilgrims will have decreased by Tk 55,000.
The proposal to reduce the fare has been prepared by Biman's Managing Director and CEO, Kaizer Sohail Ahmed, and will reach the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism today. It will then go to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which leads the announcement of the Hajj package.
In the letter sent to the ministry, Biman's MD said that Biman must be guaranteed to carry half of the Hajj pilgrims in 2027 as well. If other airlines are given the opportunity to carry passengers within Bangladesh's quota, Biman will be disadvantaged. The MD's letter also urges that all Hajj pilgrims, both government and private, should start their journey from Dhaka. For direct passenger transport from Chittagong or Sylhet, an additional USD 100 must be paid on top of the fixed fare, the MD added.
Depending on the moon sighting, the 2027 Hajj will be held on May 14 or 15. Biman determines the fare in advance to facilitate the announcement of the Hajj package. After that, various parties are consulted, and the package is determined in line with the Saudi government's requirements. A director mentioned that while determining the fare, Biman considered the dollar exchange rate, taxes set by the governments of both countries, the war situation in the Middle East, and the fixed costs of operating flights.
The director also informed that on June 26, the Ministry of Religious Affairs requested keeping airfares for pilgrims affordable. Not just the Ministry of Religious Affairs, but the government's overall message is to keep airfares low for Hajj pilgrims. Receiving this government message, Biman is trying to keep the fare low. As a result, the package cost will also decrease, the director added.
The higher the airfare, the higher the Hajj package cost. Some costs determined by the Saudi government are added to the airfare. These include Hajj visas, registration and other government fees, accommodation costs in Makkah and Madinah hotels, transportation costs from Jeddah or Madinah to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, and tent and service costs in Mina and Arafat.
Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs said that about three-fourths of the total Hajj expenditure is spent on various services determined in Saudi Arabia. The major component of the remaining portion is the airfare for traveling from Bangladesh.
The 2023 Hajj package was the most expensive, with the minimum package costing Tk 6,83,018. The following year's (2024) package was Tk 5,78,840. Last year's (2025) package was Tk 4,78,241. This year's (2026) Hajj took place last May. This year's package was Tk 4,67,167.
