Biman cancels 2 more hajj flights

The authorities of Biman Bangladesh Airlines have cancelled two more scheduled hajj flights due to shortage of pilgrims for visa complications.

The flights -- BG-1073 and BG-5073 -- were scheduled to take off for Saudi Arabia at 6:05 am and 1:25 pm today respectively, Shakil Meraj, General Manager Public Relations (GMPR) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, told UNB.

With these, a total of 23 dedicated hajj flights have been cancelled so far since the first day of hajj flight operation on July 24.

A total of 73,183 pilgrims from Bangladesh have reached Saudi Arabia to perform hajj till 8:00 am today. Of them, 35,314 pilgrims were carried by Biman while 37,869 pilgrims by Saudi airlines.

However, Biman will operate five flights today including one regular flight.

A total of 177 flights were scheduled to carry the hajj pilgrims till August 26.

Some 127,198 pilgrims were scheduled to perform hajj from Bangladesh this year under government and private managements.