378 Bangladeshis, including stranded Biman crew, return from Dubai on special US-Bangla flight
A total of 378 Bangladeshis, including 27 flight crew members of Biman Bangladesh Airlines who had been stranded in Dubai, returned to Dhaka today on a special flight operated by US-Bangla Airlines.
The flight landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 7:11am, said Kamrul Islam, general manager (Public Relations) of the airline.
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He said the airline had planned to operate two special flights on the Dhaka–Dubai–Dhaka route to bring back stranded passengers.
“As part of that decision, we have already operated one flight today,” Kamrul told The Daily Star.
The second special flight is scheduled to depart Dhaka for Dubai at 5:15pm today. The aircraft will leave Dubai for Dhaka at 10:00pm local time carrying more stranded passengers.
The special flights are being operated using Airbus A330-300 aircraft.
Authorities at Dubai International Airport have permitted several airlines, including US-Bangla Airlines, Emirates, and Air India, to operate special flights considering the overall situation.
Bangladeshi passengers whose visas have already expired or are close to expiry are being given priority for return, Kamrul said.
The Biman crew members had been stranded in the UAE for the past five days following the outbreak of war on February 28.
“They were in an uncertain situation there,” he said.
“As a partner airline, US-Bangla Airlines was able to relieve the concerns of the crew members’ families by ensuring their safe return,” Kamrul added.
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