A total of 80,723 Bangladeshi pilgrims have so far reached Saudi Arabia aboard 208 flights to perform the holy Hajj this year, officials said on Friday night.

According to a bulletin from the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Makkah, 15 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia due to age-related complications and various health conditions.

This year, 87,100 Bangladeshis are registered to perform Hajj — 5,200 under the government management and 81,900 through private Hajj operators.

A special coordination meeting of the 2025 Hajj delegation was held Thursday night at the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Makkah, chaired by Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain. 

The meeting reviewed final preparations for ensuring safe and comfortable accommodation, transportation, food, and medical services for pilgrims in Makkah, Mina, and Arafat.

Also present were Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik, delegation members, administrative team leaders, the Hajj councilor, medical team heads, Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) leaders, and members of the IT and logistics teams.

According to Lokman Hossain, Director at the Hajj Office under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has so far operated 104 flights, transporting 40,249 pilgrims, while Saudi Airlines operated 76 flights with 29,144 pilgrims, and Flynas Airlines flew 11,330 pilgrims on 28 flights.

He said Biman is scheduled to operate 118 flights, Saudi Airlines 80, and Flynas 34 during the entire Hajj operation phase.

Hossain confirmed that 86,945 visas have been issued by the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka, ensuring 100% visa clearance for both government and private pilgrims.

The first Hajj flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on April 29, carrying 398 pilgrims.

SMS/