Biman to carry Hajj pilgrims by own aircraft

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided to carry Hajj pilgrims this year with its own aircraft without taking any wide-bodied aircraft on lease as was in previous years, reports UNB.

"Yes, we've decided to carry Hajj pilgrims by our own aircraft," acting Director (Planning) of Biman Md Belayet Hossain told the news agency over telephone.

A total of 102,000 people will perform Hajj from Bangladesh this year. Of them, 10,000 will perform hajj under government management and the rest under private management.

Biman will carry half the total pilgrims and the rest will fly by the Saudi Airlines. "Each year Bangladesh signs an agreement with the Saudi Arabian government in this regard," Belayet Hossain said.

Asked whether Biman had the capacity to handle the large number of Hajj pilgrims in the current year with its existing capacity, the Biman official said, "Of course, we've. If not, why should we taken such a decision?"

Currently, Biman has four 777-300ERs aircraft with 419-seat capacity each, two 737-800s aircraft with 162-seat capacity each, two 319-seat capacity 777-200ER (one will be added to the fleet on May 4) aircraft and two A310-300s aircraft, one has the 221-seat capacity and the other 223-seat capacity.

The two 777-200ER aircraft were taken on lease from the Egypt Air Holding Company.