Suspended Middle East flights to be rescheduled, says State Minister Millat
“I believe that the flights being rescheduled, including those of Bangladesh and other airlines, are being coordinated after discussions among all concerned," he says.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat has said that flights suspended due to Israel's attack on Iran will be rescheduled, ensuring passengers are given adequate time.
He made the remarks today (1 March) while responding to questions from journalists at the Traffic Signal Monitoring Cell of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
"Due to the incident in Iran, around 54 international flights on Bangladesh routes were suspended yesterday. As a result, some planned operations of Biman Bangladesh Airlines on certain routes were also kept suspended. Today we have restarted those operations," Rashiduzzaman said.
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He said, "I believe that the flights being rescheduled, including those of Bangladesh and other airlines, are being coordinated after discussions among all concerned. Our secretary, the chairman of civil aviation, and other officials were present yesterday, along with other ministers including the foreign minister and the minister for expatriates' welfare, to ensure that passengers do not suffer due to flight delays," he said.
We have rescheduled the flights and checked everything so that, if the situation remains unchanged, the suspended flights from yesterday can be operated by tomorrow and passengers can be sent accordingly," he added
The state minister further added, "If the war situation escalates or becomes prolonged, we will take further steps through discussions among all concerned."
"Our honourable prime minister is personally monitoring the matter. He is giving us directives and regularly inquiring whether passengers are facing any difficulties and whether those who are unable to travel are being properly taken care of," he said.
"Since this situation is beyond our control, we request passengers to contact their respective travel agencies or airlines before coming to the airport. This will allow them to know the correct departure time and avoid inconvenience," Rashiduzzaman further said.
The state minister said passengers from remote areas would be given sufficient time under the rescheduling arrangements so that they can reach the airport and catch their flights.
"We hope the conflict will not escalate further. If it stops, that will be good. If it escalates, we will hold inter-ministerial meetings and take necessary measures," he added.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines said that all its Middle East-bound flights today, except those to Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will operate as scheduled.
Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has informed its passengers that the Dhaka-Riyadh flight (BG 339), which was suspended yesterday (28 February), will depart for Riyadh at 1pm tomorrow (2 March).
