DHAKA: Six airlines will carry pilgrims as third carrier this year to cope with hajj rush, as flight crisis in operating Dhaka-Jeddah sorties during the time remains a perennial problem.

Civil Aviation Minister GM Quader announced the arrangement at a press briefing at his ministry after a meeting on the issue Thursday.

He named Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Al Wafir and National Air Service of Saudi Arabia under this category of carries for the pilgrims.

Earlier on August 10, the government had permitted Emirates Airlines, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, PIA, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Bahrain Air, Air Arabia, GMG and United Airways to carry pilgrims. Bangladesh Biman and Saudi Airlines are considered as main carriers.

Finally, the six were selected as Al Wafir and National Air Service of state-run airlines of Saudi Arabia also agreed to carry pilgrims, the minister added.

As per decision in the meeting, Bangladesh Biman would carry 40,000 and Saudi Airlines 28,000 hajj passengers. Besides, Gulf Air will carry 7,000, Kuwait Airways 1,500, Qatar Airways 1,342, Etihad Airways 1,200, Al-Wafir 10, 000 and Saudi National Air Service 5,000 pilgrims.

The Aviation Minister informed that a total of 93,900 people of the country would perform Hajj this year. The ‘third-carrier’ fleet has taken responsibilities to complete the task of carrying huge numbers of passengers to and from Saudi Arabia “smoothly”.

As per contact with the ministry, each airline can have a three-hour transit maximum on way to Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims will be given halal foods.

“Action will be taken as per policy if any breach of the contact occurred,” the minister said in a forewarning.

BDST 1704 HRS AUG 19, 2010