Civil Aviation secretary assures smooth Hajj flights

Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mohibul Haque on Thursday said no complication will be created in operating the current year’s Hajj flights.

“Despite the Saudi Arabian civil aviation authority’s restriction on operating Hajj flights with hired planes, no complication will be created in operating the Hajj flights,” he said, replying to a question from journalists at the conference room of the ministry here.

Bangladesh Biman has three flights of its own to carry the Hajj pilgrims, Mohibul said, adding that two planes hired for carrying the pilgrims may be stopped because of the Saudi restriction, reports BSS.

Bangladesh ambassador in Riyadh is continuing discussions with the Saudi government to resolve this crisis, he said, adding, “We hope a positive solution will come by today (Thursday) from the Saudi government. So, the pilgrims have no cause to be worried about it.”

“If the hired planes do not get permission to operate flights, then we will send the pilgrims with our own planes as per the pre-schedule. And no problem will be created for it,” the secretary said.

Requesting the pilgrims to collect plane tickets as early as possible, Mohibul said the Saudi government will not give extra slot for Bangladesh this year.

The ministry will have nothing to do, if any pilgrim fails to go to Mecca due to not collecting ticket on time, he added.