(BSS) - A total of 36,156 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have so far reached Saudi Arabia through 90 Hajj flights.

Director of the Bangladesh Hajj Office Md Lokman Hossain said that 90 flights had landed in Jeddah by 10am today.

He said a total of 78,500 people from Bangladesh have been allowed to perform Hajj this year. Of them, 660 agencies are handling Hajj operations under private management, including 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies.

According to airline-wise data, 16,132 pilgrims arrived on 39 flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 12,882 on 33 flights of Saudi Airlines, and 7,142 on 18 flights of Flynas Airlines.

The Hajj office also said seven more flights are scheduled to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia.

The remaining pilgrims are expected to arrive gradually through designated airlines, the director added.

According to official figures, 4,565 pilgrims will perform Hajj under government management, while 73,935 will go under private arrangements.

The Saudi Embassy in Dhaka has issued a total of 78,297 visas so far, including 4,419 under government management and 73,878 under private management, as of Thursday.

Subject to moon sighting, the holy Hajj is expected to be held in Saudi Arabia on May 26.