Reduced airfare duties and fees aim to make Hajj more affordable for pilgrimsBangladesh waives excise duty on airfare, VAT on fees for Hajj pilgrimsThe interim government has fully withdrawn excise duty on air tickets for Hajj pilgrims next year. A 15 percent value added tax, or VAT, has been waived on embarkation, security, and airport security fees for passengers. Currently, the excise duty on air tickets to Saudi Arabia stands at Tk 4,000. However, this duty has been previously waived for Hajj pilgrims on several occasions. While embarkation and security fees are relatively minor, two official Hajj packages were announced last Wednesday for next year's pilgrims.
