Govt urged not to raise airfare of Hajj passengers
Staff Correspondent
Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) yesterday at a press conference in the city demanded of the government not to increase the plane fare for Hajj passengers, which has been fixed by the cabinet at $ 950.They threatened not to send any pilgrims if the government increases airfare by Tk one as the airfare problem for non-ballotee hajj pilgrims has already been resolved at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday. They also threatened to launch movements including surrendering their agencies licences to the Ministry for Religious Affairs for cancellation. In a written statement, HAAB President Abdur Shakur said the government at a cabinet meeting has fixed the airfare of non-ballotee Hajis at $ 950, but a vested quarter of Biman Bangladesh Airlines for their personal interests is trying to increase the fare by $ 410 showing excuses of plane shortage and price hike of jet fuel. He said after the government decision of airfare at $ 950 the Hajj agencies has started taking Hajj money from the intending pilgrims and renting houses at Makka and Modina. The agencies also talked with the foreign aeroplane operators about the airfare for Hajj pilgrims at $ 850 to 900, he added. HAAB president informed that Saudi Airlines will carry Hajj pilgrims at $ 563 from Pakistan and at $ 820 from Indonesia and Malaysia, which is $ 200 lower than the fair fixed for the Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims. But because of the wrong decisions of Civil Aviation ministry, foreign airlines now do not want to carry Bangladesh Hajj pilgrims at $950. HAAB Secretary General Jillur Chowdhury, former president Mohaimen Salekin and other members of the Association were present at the press conference.
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