Passengers endure AC failure on Biman flight during 18-hour journey
Flight BG-306 departed Toronto Pearson Airport due to what airline staff described as “maintenance-related issues”
Passengers on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Toronto to Dhaka experienced significant discomfort on Sunday (31 August) after the aircraft's air conditioning system partially failed during the nearly 18-hour journey.
Flight BG-306, carrying 253 passengers, departed Toronto Pearson Airport around 7:45 pm local time, over two hours behind schedule, due to what airline staff described as "maintenance-related issues."
Biman spokesperson ABM Raoshan Kabir told The Business Standard that one of the aircraft's two air-conditioning units had malfunctioned and could not be repaired in Toronto because the necessary equipment was unavailable.
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"As the Boeing operational manual permits flights with one functional AC unit, the captain decided to proceed to Dhaka," Kabir said. "We regret the suffering and discomfort of the passengers."
Passengers, however, reported worsening conditions shortly after takeoff.
"At first it just felt warm. But after an hour, the heat became unbearable, as there was no air conditioning at all," one passenger said.
Women, children, and elderly passengers were particularly affected, with several reportedly falling ill during the flight.
Biman's spokesperson added that the same aircraft was scheduled to operate a flight to Madina after landing in Dhaka.
