Hajj 2026 flights from Bangladesh began on 18 April 2026 and will continue through 21 May 2026, with around 78,500 pilgrims flying to Saudi Arabia on 207 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia, and Flynas. The Day of Arafah is expected to fall on 26 May 2026, subject to moon sighting. This guide covers the full flight schedule, airline allocations, the new Madinah routing rule, and how to check your flight assignment.
Hajj 2026 Flight Schedule at a Glance
Bangladesh’s entire outbound Hajj operation runs in a tight five-week block, ensuring all pilgrims arrive well before the rituals begin.
| Phase | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Hajj outbound flights | 18 April to 21 May 2026 | 207 total flights across three airlines |
| Day of Hajj (Arafah) | Expected 26 May 2026 | Subject to lunar sighting |
| Post-Hajj return flights | 30 May to 30 June 2026 | Staggered over roughly five weeks |
| Total pilgrims | 78,500 | 4,565 government, 73,935 private |
Your departure date and flight number are fixed by your Hajj agency or the Ministry of Religious Affairs. You can look up your slot on the official Hajj portal using your tracking number.
For a complete breakdown of what the Hajj season looks like this year, see our guide to the Hajj last date 2026.
Pre-Hajj Departures: Airports and the Road to Makkah Initiative
Pre-Hajj flights lift off from three airports in Bangladesh, with the vast majority departing from Dhaka.
Departure Airports
- Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka (DAC): The main Hajj hub, handling the overwhelming share of flights.
- Shah Amanat International Airport, Chattogram (CGP): Hajj flights started on 19 April 2026 for pilgrims from the Chattogram region.
- Osmani International Airport, Sylhet (ZYL): Serves pilgrims from the Sylhet division, primarily on return routes.
Road to Makkah: Skip the Queue in Saudi Arabia
Bangladesh is part of Saudi Arabia’s Road to Makkah initiative at Dhaka airport. Saudi immigration officers clear pilgrims at the Hajj Camp in Dhaka before departure, so passengers land in Jeddah or Madinah as domestic arrivals and skip the main immigration queue.
Pilgrims processed under Road to Makkah complete visa checks, biometrics, and baggage tagging before they board. Luggage is then delivered directly to their accommodation in Makkah.
Airlines Operating Hajj 2026 Flights From Bangladesh
Three airlines share the Bangladesh Hajj airlift, with about half of all pilgrims flying Biman.
| Airline | Pre-Hajj Flights | Main Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Biman Bangladesh Airlines | 102 | Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet to Jeddah and Madinah |
| Saudia | 75 | Dhaka to Jeddah and Madinah |
| Flynas | 30 | Dhaka to Jeddah and Madinah |
Which airline you fly is decided by your agency, not by you. Pilgrims under government management and those booked through HAAB-approved private agencies are assigned carriers based on the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ annual allocation.
The New Madinah Routing Rule for 2026
This is a major procedural change for 2026. Previously, the bulk of Bangladesh’s Hajj traffic moved through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the traditional gateway for Makkah-bound travelers.
What This Means for Your Itinerary
- Roughly one in five pilgrims will fly directly into Madinah. Your arrival airport is set by your agency.
- Madinah-first pilgrims usually spend their first days performing optional Ziyarah visits, then travel to Makkah by road before Hajj rituals begin.
- On the return leg, around 30 percent of pilgrims will fly out of Madinah rather than Jeddah.
If you need additional accommodation, check both hotels in Makkah and hotels in Madinah based on which city your package begins and ends in.
Post-Hajj Return Flight Schedule
Return flights begin on 30 May 2026 and run through 30 June 2026. Your return date is fixed by your Hajj package and tied to your group’s schedule in Saudi Arabia.
Return Routing
- The majority of return flights depart from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, with direct services to Dhaka and some routed via Chattogram and Sylhet.
- Roughly 30 percent of return flights depart from Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah.
- If your return ticket routes via Chattogram or Sylhet before Dhaka, your baggage should be checked through, but you will usually need to clear Bangladesh immigration at your final airport.
How to Check Your Flight and Manage Changes
Your pilgrim tracking number is the key to finding your confirmed flight date, airline, and route.
Where to Check
- Visit hajj.gov.bd and enter your tracking number for your latest flight assignment.
- Private pilgrims should contact their HAAB-listed agency first, as agencies receive flight allocations from the Ministry.
- Once you have a flight number, confirm timings directly on Biman, Saudia, or Flynas websites.
If Your Flight Is Delayed or Rescheduled
Hajj flights can shift by hours, and sometimes by a day, as the airlift tightens in the final two weeks. Keep your phone on and check your agency’s group messages regularly.
The Hajj Camp in Dhaka publishes real-time boarding information on the day of departure. For carrier-specific issues, reach out to the airline’s Dhaka office — Biman operates a dedicated Hajj helpdesk at the Hajj Camp during the airlift period.
If you are still comparing options or tracking a specific flight for a family member, you can search flights to Jeddah and flights to Madinah or use the Wego flight tracker.
For last-minute preparation tips, see our Hajj 2026 last-minute checklist. Women pilgrims can also refer to our dedicated guide on Hajj for women, and all pilgrims should review the Hajj 2026 vaccine and health requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose which airline to fly for Hajj 2026?
No. Airline allocation is set by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and your Hajj agency, not by individual pilgrims. Roughly half fly Biman, with the rest split between Saudia and Flynas.
Will I land in Jeddah or Madinah?
Around 80 percent of Bangladeshi pilgrims fly into Jeddah in 2026, and 20 percent fly into Madinah under the new bilateral rule. Your arrival airport is fixed by your package.
How do I find my specific flight date?
Use your pilgrim tracking number on the Bangladesh Hajj portal at hajj.gov.bd, or contact your Hajj agency directly.
What is the Road to Makkah initiative?
Road to Makkah lets Saudi immigration officers clear Bangladeshi pilgrims at the Hajj Camp in Dhaka before they fly. When you land in Saudi Arabia, you are processed as a domestic arrival, and your bags are sent directly to your accommodation in Makkah.
When do return flights start?
Post-Hajj return flights begin on 30 May 2026 and run through 30 June 2026. Your return date is set by your package, not chosen individually.
Sources
- Bangladesh Ministry of Religious Affairs Hajj portal
- BSS: 51,581 Bangladeshi pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia
- BSS: 50,111 Bangladeshi pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia for Hajj
- BSS: 5,613 Hajj pilgrims depart for Saudi Arabia
- The Business Standard: PM inaugurates first Hajj flights
- The Business Standard: 20% of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims must enter via Madinah
- Bangladesh Pratidin: Hajj flights from Chattogram begin 19 April
- Biman Bangladesh Airlines Hajj page
- BSS: Road to Makkah inauguration
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
