Bangladeshi pilgrims started returning home on Sunday after performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The maiden return Hajj flight of Flynas Airlines carrying 335 pilgrims landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:55pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the first return Hajj flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying 419 pilgrims, is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka this morning.
The national flag carrier's aircraft is expected to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:05am today. The flight departed from Madinah Munawara Airport in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night. These 419 pilgrims are among those who went to perform Hajj under government management. Biman Bangladesh Airlines will continue operating return flights until August 2.
This year, a total of 122,884 people from Bangladesh travelled to Saudi Arabia through 325 flights to perform Hajj.
This year, 43 Bangladeshi pilgrims - 35 men and 8 women- passed away in Saudi Arabia while performing the holy ritual. In regard to the transportation of Zamzam water, the airline authorities have advised pilgrims not to bring bottled Zamzam water in their luggage this year.
Authorities have already arranged for Zamzam water to be available at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, as well as at airports in Chittagong and Sylhet, to cater to the needs of all Hajj pilgrims. Upon their return from Saudi Arabia, each pilgrim will receive a five-litre container of Zamzam water at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The Bangladesh Biman authorities have also prohibited the importation of frozen raw meat of camels and dumbas from Saudi Arabia.
Any such items found in the luggage of Hajj pilgrims will be left behind in Saudi Arabia.
