Strongly opposing the proposed hike in the pilgrims' airplane fare from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia this year, a rights organisation has urged the government to fix a reasonable cost to facilitate the pilgrims' in performing hajj.
Bangladesh Pilgrim and Haji Welfare Council also requested the government to allow the middle-east based airlines to carry Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for ensuring their hassle-free travel at affordable costs.
The organisation came up with the proposals at a press conference, held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital on Sunday.
The council leaders, including its president Dr Abdullah Al Naser and general secretary Abdul Baten, attended the conference, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Naser said Bangladeshi pilgrims can now travel to Saudi Arabia for hajj only with Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
However, the airlines charge nearly 2.5 times higher cost to the holy destination during hajj comparing to usual time, claiming that they have to operate many flights on Dhaka-Jeddah route without passenger to ensure hassle-free hajj flights, he also said.
"During hajj, the airlines charge the pilgrims unusually higher fares, which is unethical."
In a meeting on February 04, the authorities concerned proposed to fix $1,633 for each hajj pilgrim roundtrip this year, which equals to approximately Tk 1,36,000. In 2017, the plane fare was fixed at Tk 1,24,723 for each pilgrim.
Mr Abdullah further said various middle-east based airliners charge fares ranging from Tk 40,000 to Tk 48,000 for each passenger travelling on Dhaka-Jeddah route.
Considering the circumstances, hajj pilgrims should pay maximum Tk 90,000 each for their travel on this route, he opined.
He also alleged that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is exploiting the pilgrims by proposing unjustified travel cost for religious purpose.
The council also sought Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's interference in this regard, as the cabinet might approve hajj package for this year any day of this month.
"We hope the prime minister will look into the plane fare issue in particular, so that the cost does not soar than that of usual period," added Mr Abdullah.
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