First Hajj return flight lands in Dhaka
The first Hajj return flight of 2026 landed in Dhaka on Saturday morning, marking the beginning of a month-long repatriation process for Bangladeshi pilgrims following the successful completion of the holy pilgrimage.
The pilgrims arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 10:35am aboard Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-336, according to a press release issued by the national flag carrier.
Kaizer Sohel Ahmed, managing director and chief executive officer of Biman, greeted the returning pilgrims at the boarding bridge with flowers and Zamzam water, expressing his appreciation for their safe journey and the successful completion of their Hajj.
This year, Biman transported 38,679 Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia across 98 pre-Hajj flights.
Under its post-Hajj programme, Biman plans to bring 39,650 pilgrims back to Bangladesh on 106 return flights scheduled between May 30 and June 30.
Prime minister Tarique Rahman had previously inaugurated the Hajj flight operations on April 17 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital.
The final outbound flight carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia on May 21, ahead of the country celebrating Eid-ul-Azha on May 28.