Passenger's death mid-air: Biman probes decision not to divert flight

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has launched an investigation after a passenger died mid-air on a London-bound flight on 31 December, amid questions over the crew's decision not to divert the aircraft to a nearer airport for emergency medical assistance. 

The incident occurred on flight BG 201, operating on the Dhaka–Sylhet–London route. 

Biman spokesperson Boshra Islam said the aircraft departed Sylhet as scheduled and the passenger fell seriously ill while the plane was flying over Pakistan, near the city of Lahore.

"Despite the aircraft being closer to several suitable international airports at the time, the pilot opted to return the flight to Dhaka, which was around three hours away," she told The Business Standard.

As the passenger's condition deteriorated, the cabin crew made an announcement seeking medical help. A doctor on board responded and provided medical assistance, but was unable to formally certify the passenger's medical condition, sources familiar with the incident said.

The aircraft later landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where an airport physician declared the passenger dead.

Following the incident, Biman formed a three-member investigation committee headed by Captain Md Enamul Haque, the airline's chief of flight safety. 

The committee has been tasked with examining the circumstances of the death and reviewing the decision-making process during the medical emergency.