Uncertainty looms large over carrying Hajj pilgrims by Biman Bangladesh Airlines as the national flag carrier has yet to manage the necessary number of slots, which determine timings for arrival and departure of flights, from the Saudi Arabian authorities.
About shortage of slots, the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) said if the Biman failed to get necessary slots, a large number of Bangladeshi pilgrims would face uncertainty about their journey to Saudi Arabia this time around.
"We have sought 120 landing slots from the Saudi government to carry 49,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims this year and yet are far from necessary number of slots," an official of Biman Bangladesh Airlines told the FE.
He said they were trying to increase the number of landing slots for ensuring smooth journey of Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform the holly hajj.
In the event of failure to increase the slots, they have another plan.
"In that case we will carry passengers with our scheduled (regular) flights," he said. "But its capacity is not more than 6,000 persons."
Ibrahim Bahar, president of HAAB, said for smoothly journey of the pilgrims for performing the hajj, the demanded slots are essential.
He said Biman should try hard to increase the number of landing slots as if the Biman failed to take it, the Bangladeshi pilgrims would face many hassles.
For smooth fly of Hajj pilgrims several times they have requested the government to reopen the third carrier.
Another HAAB leader said if the government could not reopen the third carrier for the pilgrims, they would face many hassles to go to Saudi Arabia for performing the holy hajj.
According to hajj office under the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) a total of 97,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims will perform hajj this year---95,500 of them under private management while the remaining 1500 under government management.
Slot shortage may hamper hajj flights
Shah Alam Nur | Published: June 24, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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