Remain vigilant to ensure smooth hajj flights: PMO to Biman

Biman Bangladesh Airlines and all concerned should remain extremely vigilant so that there are no disasters regarding Hajj flights, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) directed in a recent meeting.

These instructions were given at a review meeting on the management of this year's hajj held at the PMO on Tuesday (May 17, 2022).

The meeting was chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Kaikaus.

The PMO has issued a total of nine directives to the concerned ministries and departments to ensure proper hajj management.

According to the instructions, no ordinary passengers other than hajj pilgrims can be ferried on Hajj flights.

The guidelines also state that all airlines must comply with the Route-to-Mecca Initiative to ferry pilgrims to ensure immigration of hajis at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

"Arrangements must be made to complete immigration of all hajis at the Hazrat Shahjalal Internaitonal Airport. For this, the required number of booths should be set up in the Hajj camp," a top official of the religious affairs ministry told The Daily Star quoting the instructions.

Two additional booths will have to set up at the airport in case of special use.

In order to complete the immigration smoothly, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has to provide the necessary personal information of the pilgrims to the immigration authorities in advance.

Health department will take necessary steps in coordination with the Ministry of Religious, including the determination of a dedicated hospital for the smooth carrying out of RT-PCR test of Hajj pilgrims, the instructions also say.

In order to avoid any inconvenience to the pilgrims, all the service providers in the hajj camp will ensure their service round-the-clock.

The Dhaka North City Corporation and the Road Transport and Highways Department will take necessary steps to keep the road from the airport to the Hajj camp smooth and unobstructed.

According to the government's announcement, Hajj flights are scheduled to take off from May 31.