US-Bangla Airlines offers to fly Hajj pilgrims for Tk 98,000
- 2026 Hajj pilgrim fare was Tk 1,54,830
Collected Photo
US-Bangla Airlines has proposed transporting Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims for Tk 98,000 per person, significantly lower than the airfare charged during the most recent Hajj season. The airline says it is willing to operate Hajj flights for the 2027 pilgrimage if it receives government approval.
The proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs in a letter on Tuesday.
For the 2026 Hajj season, the airfare per pilgrim was Tk 154,830, making it one of the largest components of the overall Hajj package.
Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad confirmed that the ministry had received US-Bangla's proposal.
"The letter from US-Bangla has become a positive factor in our negotiations to reduce Hajj airfares. We will discuss the proposal," he told Agami'r Shomoy.
According to ministry sources, US-Bangla expressed its interest in operating Hajj flights in a letter addressed to the religious affairs secretary.
In the letter, the airline said it aims to help Bangladeshi Muslims perform Hajj at a lower cost. It proposed operating Hajj flights at a net fare of Tk 98,000 per passenger while complying with all regulatory requirements.
Currently, Hajj pilgrims from Bangladesh are transported by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudi Arabia's national carrier Saudia , and private Saudi airline Flynas during the annual Hajj season.
Farid Ahmed Mazumder, secretary general of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), welcomed efforts to lower airfare.
"We have always advocated for reducing Hajj airfares. We will discuss US-Bangla's proposal during our meeting," he said.
A meeting involving officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and other Hajj-related agencies was scheduled for Tuesday at the Secretariat to finalize the 2027 Hajj package.
Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad said the proposal would be discussed during the meeting.
"US-Bangla has informed us that if it is allowed to operate Hajj flights, it will obtain the necessary approval from the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation. We also want people to be able to perform Hajj at a lower cost. The proposal has strengthened our negotiating position. The current government remains committed to reducing the cost of Hajj, and greater competition in Hajj airfares is a positive development," he said.
