Passengers’ suffering mounts at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) due to mismanagement since the curfew was imposed on July 18. Air passengers, mostly Bangladeshi expatriates who reached the airport in the capital much ahead of their scheduled flights, are now in serious trouble.
Many of them are passing their days outside the airport terminal amid a shortage of food and accommodation facilities. As a result, hundreds of outgoing passengers have been facing serious difficulties in and outside the international airport, according to media reports.
Middle-east bound migrant workers have expressed grave concern as a number of flights of Saudia, Air Arabia and Emirates airlines have been cancelled in last eight days. As the passengers of several flights gathered at HSIA, it was very difficult for the authorities concerned to manage flight operation properly. Earlier, the HSIA authorities assured passengers of taking all necessary steps so that Bangladeshi expatriates could fly to their destination countries without any hassle. But the fact is that the authorities have not taken any effective steps to reduce passengers’ sufferings. The outgoing passengers have become the worst victims of unprofessional attitude of airport officials. Ten days have already elapsed but the authorities have failed to maintain the flight schedule and provide passenger service properly.
Hundreds of outgoing
passengers have been facing
serious difficulties in and
outside the international airport
We think the authorities concerned will have to talk to the officials and country managers of Saudia, Emirates and Air Arabia to end backlog immediately. Only then, all migrant workers will be able to reach their workstations before their visas expire.
Besides, the authorities must take stern action against those who would be found guilty of humiliating air passengers. Deployment of police officers at each immigration counter will also have to be ensured so that passengers don’t face any difficulties.
The authority concerned should deal with mismanagement at HSIA immediately aiming to brighten the image of the country and bring them to book who create chaos in the country. We hope that all stranded passengers will be able to reach their destinations as early as possible.
