Biman Bangladesh Airlines is supposed to operate few chartered flights to take the stranded expatriates to different destinations of the world as normal life is returning there following the improvement of the COVID- 19 pandemic situation.
Officials of Biman have confirmed this matter to The Bangladesh Post. On condition not to be named, an official of Biman said, “As air connectivity is totally closed around the world due to the spread of the pandemic, chartered flight demand went skyrocketed. Hence, several countries are knocking the national flag carrier to operate chartered and cargo flights”.
Meanwhile, Biman has been allowed to operate a special flight with Bangladeshis living in Italy now stranded in the country. Only 265 passengers with valid Italian documents can return on this special flight. Permission has been granted to operate the flight with the assistance of the Italian Embassy in Bangladesh.
To this end, the official said, “As there are some rules and regulations, some of which yet to be finalized, a chartered flight will operate on the Dhaka-Italy route on June 12. The same flight will return to the country via London on June 13”.
Ambassador of Bangladesh Embassy in Italy Abdus Sobahan Sikder told media that “Thousands of expatriates could not return to Italy from Bangladesh as regular flights were closed. Keeping these expatriates in mind, we contacted Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the Italian administration. Permission has been granted to operate special flights at a later time.
About the chartered flight from London, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem said, “The chartered flight is scheduled to return Bangladesh from Rome taking stranded Bangladeshis there. However, due to the UK embassy request and government order, the flight will return Bangladesh via Heathrow Airport taking stranded Bangladeshis from here”, according to a press release issued on Saturday by Bangladesh High Commission in the UK.
As the coronavirus pandemic is abating in the European countries, it's bringing hope among the country's stranded expatriates to go back to their respective destinations.
According to the special branch of the police, about three and a half lakh passengers have arrived in the country since January through three international airports before regular flights were canceled. Maximum expatriate Bangladeshis returned from European countries.
