Hajj airfare can be reduced to Tk 1 lakh if monopoly ends: HAAB

Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh President Syed Golam Sarwar has said that the total cost of Hajj can be reduced if airlines stop overcharging pilgrims. He alleged that airlines are collecting up to Tk 54,000 extra from Hajj pilgrims in the name of dedicated Hajj flights, and the monopoly business is increasing financial pressure on ordinary pilgrims.

He made the remarks at a press conference on the latest situation of this year's Hajj activities at the Ashkona Hajj Camp on Saturday morning, May 16.

The HAAB president believes that the ticket price for next year's Hajj could be reduced to Tk 1 lakh. "If we can break the dominance of middlemen, the overall cost of Hajj will come down significantly, making it affordable for ordinary people," he said.

Responding to a question, Golam Sarwar said, "If our ticket prices had been lower, the pilgrim quota would have been filled. If we could bring ticket prices within Tk 1 lakh, 1.29 lakh pilgrims could have gone. Due to increased ticket prices and Moallim costs, the number of pilgrims has decreased. We have spoken with the government and hope that ticket prices will decrease in 2027."

HAAB Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumdar presented the progress of this year's Hajj at the press conference. He said Moallim contracts, house rentals, transport contracts and tent selections had to be completed in record time this year. Despite various challenges, this year's Hajj management has been successfully and smoothly completed through the joint cooperation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Hajj Office and HAAB.

Responding to a question about Hajj flight costs, Farid Ahmed said no dedicated Hajj flights are actually operated from Bangladesh, yet airlines charge higher fares by claiming dedicated Hajj flights. Schedule flights are declared as dedicated and operated as Hajj flights. Therefore, airfares should be determined at a lower and more reasonable level, he said.

The maximum airfare should be Tk 1 lakh to Tk 1.20 lakh, he commented.

HAAB leaders also emphasised the need for urgent reform of the country's existing Hajj and Umrah laws, citing several new directives from the Saudi government.

Leaders assured that with visa and flight complications resolved, all Bangladeshi pilgrims will be able to reach Saudi Arabia safely within the scheduled time. There is no risk of major schedule disruptions for flights this year.