Air Ticket Scam: Civil aviation and tourism ministry cancels licence of 13 travel agencies
A probe committee found evidence of hoarding, black marketing, and fraudulent activities by the accused agencies. Following the report, the authorities decided to take legal action.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has cancelled the licences of 13 travel agencies accused of inflating ticket prices, creating artificial crises, and colluding with illegal syndicates in the air ticket market.
According to a press release issued today (9 September), the agencies had been blocking tickets on high-demand routes for extended periods under the guise of group bookings, and later selling them at inflated rates through sub-agents, including via WhatsApp groups.
This malpractice left ordinary passengers vulnerable and caused severe instability in the ticket market, it said.
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A probe committee found evidence of hoarding, black marketing, and fraudulent activities by the accused agencies. Following the report, the authorities decided to take legal action.
The decision was taken under Section 9 of the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Act, 2013, and Rules 10 and 15 of the 2022 Regulations, it added.
Out of the 13 agencies, only two appeared at the hearing and submitted supporting documents in their defence, while the remaining 11 failed to provide any information or explanation.
As a result, action was taken against them unilaterally.
The agencies whose registrations have been cancelled are: Kazi Air International (Pvt) Ltd, Citicom International Travel Agency (Pvt) Ltd, RBC International, Megha International Air Service, Mother Love Air Service, JS Travel & Tours, Hasem Air International, Four Trip Ltd, King Air Aviation, Biplob International Travel Agent, Sadia Travels, At-Taiyara Travels International and NMSS International.
The cancellation orders were signed by AKM Moniruzzaman, joint secretary and registration authority of the ministry.
The ministry also warned that strict legal action will continue against agencies found profiteering through syndicates despite repeated government warnings.
In addition, the public has been urged to refrain from purchasing tickets or engaging in transactions with the blacklisted agencies.
