Biman Bangladesh Airlines have lost Tk 40 crore in losses in the spate of hajj flight cancellations, its Managing Director AM Mosaddique Ahmed said today.

Until now, 19 flights have been cancelled, causing a capacity loss of 9,887 passengers and state revenue loss of Tk 40 crore, he said at a press briefing.

“If such trend continues, the coming days of hajj ferry services might worsen,” the Biman official said in a press conference at its head office in Balaka Bhaban this afternoon.

Meanwhile, two hajj flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines were cancelled today due to shortage of pilgrims, Tasnim Akhter, an official of Biman’s public relation department, told The Daily Star.

The Biman boss assured of taking all necessary measures to solve the ongoing crisis.

According to him, Biman has secured permission of 14 additional flights from Saudi Arabia authorities – only seven of which can be operated considering the practical scenario.

“I haven’t seen such problems with hajj ferry services anywhere else in the world,” Mosaddique said, urging all involved quarters to complete their responsibilities.

Some 1, 27,198 pilgrims are scheduled to perform hajj from Bangladesh this year under the government and private arrangements.