Biman faces fresh trouble operating hajj flights as all of its Jeddah-bound flights are flying with significant number of unoccupied seats due to shortage of hajis.

Hajj agencies not confirming the tickets of hajis is being blamed.

An alleged nexus between some officials of the religious affairs ministry and the hajj agencies are also to blame for the complications in issuance of visas for hajis, said officials of the national flag carrier.

A top Biman official yesterday told The Daily Star that the fate of several hundred hajis would become uncertain if hajj flights continue to operate this way despite Biman having the permission to fly 15 extra hajj flights.

Against the backdrop of repeated cancellation of hajj flights due to shortage of hajis, Biman on August 23 got permission from Saudi Arabia to operate the extra flights, which should remove the uncertainty of at least 5,400 people performing their hajj.

 “A number of Biman flights, which could carry at least 5,500 hajis, had been cancelled. And then, the permission to operate the extra flights gave us a relief. But unoccupied seats in each flight has now become a matter of concern for us,” said the top Biman official.

Wishing not to be named, he said, in the last two weeks, at least 1,100 seats remained unoccupied in around 45 hajj flights, meaning around 24 seats remained empty in each flight.

“If the situation does not change, fate of several hundred hajis would become uncertain. Then, Biman would need permission to operate more flights,” said another top Biman official.

The official also said a section of “corrupt” officials from the religious affairs ministry is making money by helping several hajj agencies to have “replacement visas” issued.

Meanwhile, Abu Saleh Mosfata Kamal, director at the hajj office at Ashkona Hajj Camp, said over 92,000 hajis have already got visas while 61 percent aspirant hajis have flown to Saudi Arabia.

On Wednesday, Religious Affairs Minister Motiur Rahman at a press briefing said the ministry will take action if any officials were found involved in corruption regarding hajj operations.