Bangladesh Biman’s hajj flight schedules fell apart at the very beginning of hajj flight operations yesterday, causing immense sufferings to pilgrims.
A total of 1,432 passengers were scheduled to fly to Jeddah on three Biman flights at 1:40pm, 4:30pm and 7:40pm. The first flight was supposed to carry 582 passengers on a Boeing-747.
But the aircraft leased from Kabo Air could not fly as it did not have clearance from the Saudi Arabian civil aviation authority (GACA). As a result, Biman had to use another Boeing with a capacity of 419 passengers to manage the first flight.
The remaining 163 pilgrims boarded the second flight which was supposed to carry another 312 passengers. This caused a backlog of passengers at the Shahjalal International Airport throughout the day.
At the end of the day, 701 passengers had to return to the Hajj Camp.
After completing immigration formalities, passengers of the first flight had been waiting to fly since 10:00am. After two and a half hours, it was announced that the Boeing-747 was not available.
Many passengers and their relatives expressed discontent with Biman’s flight operations. Several elderly passengers fell ill as there was not enough food and seating arrangement inside the immigration area.
Apologising for the mismanagement, a Biman press release said according to the contract, Kabo Air was supposed to get the clearance from the Saudi authorities before delivering the aircraft to Biman.
The Boeing-747 is scheduled to operate to Jeddah from today after getting the clearance from the GACA, added the release.
Kabo did not get the clearance as it failed to obtain “no objection” and insurance certificates.
-With The Daily Star input
