Suspended flights to be rescheduled with adequate notice for passengers: State Minister Millat
Dhaka: State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md. Rashiduzzaman Millat has said that flights suspended due to the recent Israeli attack on Iran will be rescheduled, ensuring that passengers are given sufficient time before departure.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday at the traffic signal monitoring cell of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the state minister said that around 54 international flights from Bangladesh were suspended on Saturday following the incident in Iran.
“In light of the situation, several planned rotations of Biman Bangladesh Airlines were also temporarily halted. However, we have resumed operations from today,” he said.
He added that the flight rescheduling process is being coordinated through discussions among relevant authorities, including the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Secretary, the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, and other inter-ministerial stakeholders. The Foreign Minister and the Expatriates’ Welfare Minister were also involved in consultations to ensure passengers do not face undue hardship due to flight disruptions.
“We have already checked and finalized the rescheduled flights. If the current situation persists, the suspended flights from yesterday will be gradually resumed by tomorrow, and necessary arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers,” he said.
The state minister noted that if the war situation escalates or prolongs, further measures will be taken through inter-ministerial meetings. He said the Prime Minister is personally monitoring the situation and issuing directives, regularly inquiring about passenger welfare, including whether stranded travelers are being properly accommodated.
“Particular attention is being given to passengers observing Ramadan, ensuring that iftar arrangements are properly managed. So far, we have been able to handle the situation effectively,” he added.
Addressing passengers, Millat urged travelers to maintain close communication with their respective travel agencies or airlines before heading to the airport.
“As this situation is beyond our control, passengers should confirm their flight status in advance. This will help them arrive at the correct time and avoid inconvenience,” he said.
He emphasized that officials from Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, and the Civil Aviation Authority are on constant alert at the airport.
“We have instructed civil aviation authorities to remain vigilant and respond promptly to phone calls. We will not allow passengers to suffer under any circumstances,” he said.
The minister further assured that passengers from remote areas will be given adequate notice when flights are rescheduled so they have enough time to reach the airport.
“If the conflict does not escalate further, we hope the situation will normalize soon. Otherwise, we will convene another inter-ministerial meeting and take necessary steps accordingly,” he added.
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