Aviation minister asks airlines to not charge extra for stranded travellers

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita today urged passengers to remain cautious against misinformation as flight schedules to the Middle East face disruption due to the prevailing situation in the region.

The remark was made at a meeting held at the conference room of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to discuss measures for managing Middle East-bound flight schedules and ensuring passenger services in view of the ongoing crisis.

Addressing officials, the minister said all concerned must remain alert against misinformation in this unexpected situation. She stressed that efforts must continue to ensure passengers do not suffer harassment.

She instructed the authorities to take steps to prioritise passengers whose visas have expired or are close to expiry once the situation returns to normal.

The minister further directed airlines to maintain round-the-clock communication with passengers and to ensure that accurate and updated information is provided at all times. Emergency contact numbers, she said, should remain operational 24 hours a day, if necessary.

Calling for a humanitarian approach, she urged airlines to stand by passengers and refrain from imposing any additional charges in the prevailing circumstances.

Officials at the meeting said due to the war in the Middle East, the airspace of Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait remains closed. Most recently, flight operations to Dammam in Saudi Arabia have also been suspended.

Passengers, they noted, are being confused and facing suffering due to misinformation. The meeting also held detailed discussions on operating additional flights to transport stranded passengers once the situation normalises.

Among those present were Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Nasreen Jahan; Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddiqui; senior officials of the ministry and its subordinate agencies; and representatives of private airlines.