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The Government of Bangladesh is preparing to implement further price cuts to official Hajj airfares, creating substantial cost savings for domestic worshippers and thousands of British-Bangladeshi expatriates travelling on Bangladeshi passports from the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, and the United States. Delivering a ministerial address on the floor of the Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday, 30 August 2026, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat confirmed that the state carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, will lower dedicated pilgrim tariffs as it scales up route profitability and secures additional aircraft. Industry analysts note that because the national flag carrier sets the market benchmark on the route to Saudi Arabia, deeper pricing reductions from Biman will directly compel competing international airlines, including Saudia and regional Gulf carriers, to reduce their own Hajj seat tariffs to remain competitive.
The parliamentary session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, commenced at 3:30 pm and examined systemic reforms within the aviation sector. Responding to a supplementary question from ruling party lawmaker Helen Zerin Khan, Minister Millat detailed the downward trajectory of dedicated pilgrimage airfares across recent cycles. Flight charges from Dhaka, which historically climbed to nearly Tk 200,000, were initially revised downwards to Tk 165,000 under the interim administration before reaching Tk 154,000 in the subsequent period. Through dynamic pricing mechanisms, base tickets have dropped to Tk 130,000 this year, with the government committed to lowering this threshold even further as Biman expands its international fleet.
The sustained decline in baseline airfares carries profound financial significance for the UK’s extensive Bangladeshi diaspora residing in major hubs such as London, Birmingham, Oldham, and Luton, alongside communities across North America and Europe. A substantial demographic of non-resident Bangladeshis holding dual nationality regularly register under Bangladesh’s national Hajj quota using their Bangladeshi passports, transiting through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to escape heavily inflated European tour packages. Daily Dazzling Dawn learned that as Biman brings its ticketing structure into close alignment with prevailing global airline standards, the resulting price pressure will force third-party carriers to dismantle speculative premiums, saving overseas families thousands of pounds across combined transatlantic and Middle Eastern legs.
Legislative debates also evaluated regional tariff stability following inquiries by opposition Jamaat lawmaker Md. Mujibur Rahman, representing Rajshahi-1, who challenged reported spikes in domestic spot bookings. Minister Millat firmly dismissed claims that standard one-way fares on the Dhaka-Chattogram corridor had reached Tk 12,000, confirming that official base seats remain anchored at Tk 6,400 exclusive of standard 15 per cent statutory taxes and levies. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that stringent digital surveillance and physical spot-checks are now enforced across airport check-in zones to eliminate black-market manipulation and prevent ticket scalpers from hoarding seats ahead of peak travel periods.
To establish institutional safeguards across the retail booking sector, the aviation ministry has enacted robust regulatory requirements to dismantle predatory syndicates. The government has issued an enforceable ten-point circular compelling all registered travel agencies to explicitly display their commercial operating licence number, corporate title, and verified retail selling price directly on the face of every passenger ticket. In parallel, comprehensive statutory amendments to the Travel Agency Act and the Civil Aviation Act are advancing through legislative review to codify transparent consumer rights and eliminate artificial ticket hoarding.
The overarching policy framework also introduces dedicated welfare provisions for non-resident workers and diaspora travellers who sustain the national economy through foreign remittance transfers. In line with ruling party manifesto commitments, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is rolling out targeted fare incentives alongside upgraded ground services at Dhaka’s Balaka Lounge, including dedicated immigration corridors and fast-track baggage check-in facilities. Minister Millat told journalists that the state will maintain an uncompromising zero-tolerance policy against corrupt syndicates and artificial shortages, ensuring equitable, transparent, and affordable air travel for all citizens journeying from home or abroad.
