The formal rituals of Hajj concluded on Friday with the final stoning of the three Jamarat, marking the start of the homeward journey for thousands of pilgrims.
The first return flight, Saudia flight SV 5806, is scheduled to depart from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 12:10am local time tonight. On this inaugural day of return operations, a total of 5,434 pilgrims are expected to arrive back in Bangladesh via 13 flights.
The 2026 Hajj flight season was officially opened by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on the night of 17 April at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The final flight transporting pilgrims from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia arrived on 21 May.
According to officials, the Ministry of Religious Affairs successfully managed all logistical requirements, including tent rentals, transport contracts, housing, and visa processing, within the deadlines set by the Saudi government. Coordination with airlines ensured that 100 per cent of registered pilgrims were able to reach Saudi Arabia without any schedule disruptions or cancellations.
The return flight operations for Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to conclude on 1 July
