Which firms are accused of inflating Middle East airfares?
The inflated prices hit migrant workers and Umrah pilgrims the hardest.
The Bangladesh Competition Commission has identified 34 companies, including seven general sales agents and 27 travel agencies, for allegedly inflating airfares to the Middle East through collusion and artificial shortages, violating the Competition Act.
Who are the accused companies?
The general sales agents named are Air Galaxy Ltd, United Link Ltd, One World Aviation Ltd, Sky Aviation Services Ltd, I-Business Holdings Ltd, Skyjet Aviation and AeroWing Aviation Ltd.
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Meanwhile, the 27 travel agencies include Kazi Air International, Citicom International Travel Agency, King Air Aviation, Mega International Air Service, Mother Love Air Travels, JS Travel & Tours, Travel Champ Ltd, Ilham Travel Corporation, Hajee Air Travels Ltd, Gulf Travels, Al-Ghazi Travels and Fly Fair Travels.
What did the investigation find?
A preliminary probe by the commission concluded that the accused firms manipulated ticket supply between December 2024 and February 2025, creating an artificial shortage that caused fares to soar.
The inflated prices hit migrant workers and Umrah pilgrims the hardest, according to the report.
What action has been taken?
The commission has issued formal notices to all 34 entities, ordering them to appear for a hearing at the commission office today (29 October).
Officials warned that those who fail to attend may be tried in absentia.
Is there more evidence of collusion?
A government probe committee, comprising representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Commerce, has also found similar patterns of irregularities in ticket pricing.
