Hajj flights from Chattogram will begin on 19 April this year, with a total of 16 scheduled flights – one fewer than the 17 operated last year.

All flights will be operated by the national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Of the 16 flights from Chattogram, 12 will operate to Jeddah and the remaining four to Madinah.

Around 6,000 pilgrims are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia from Chattogram this year, slightly lower than last year’s figure of 6,237.

Shah Alam, former chairman of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh, said the reduction in the quota and other factors contributed to the decline in the number of both passengers and flights.

Shah Amanat International Airport Station Manager Fazle Sabbir Hasan said check-in counters will open six hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth operations.

He also said coordination has been made with relevant agencies to ensure smooth boarding, immigration, and baggage handling. Dedicated help desks, additional manpower, fast-track immigration, and medical support will be available at the airport.

Wheelchairs and support staff will also be provided for elderly passengers, Sabbir added.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, a total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh are expected to perform Hajj this year. Of them, 4,565 will travel under government arrangements, while 73,935 will travel through private agencies.

In 2025, the total number of pilgrims was 87,100.

Subject to moon sighting, Hajj is likely to be observed on 26 May. Official Hajj flight operations from Bangladesh will begin on 18 April from Dhaka and 19 April from Chattogram. The last flight from Chattogram will operate on 20 May.