United News of Bangladesh

Allegations of passenger harassment by Emirates Airlines have come under scrutiny after a 71-year-old Bangladeshi-origin US citizen was reportedly denied wheelchair assistance and left standing for hours during her journey to New York, raising concerns over the airline’s passenger service standards despite its significant operations in Bangladesh. Laila Hussain, who was travelling from Dhaka to JFK on July 10 via Emirates Flights (Ticket number 1767216423865) EK587 (seat 11 H) and EK 205 (seat 47C), was initially provided a wheelchair at Dhaka airport. However, upon landing at Dubai International Airport, despite informing the cabin crew of her inability to walk, she did not receive a wheelchair at the gate as promised, her family alleged. Emirates ground staff reportedly instructed her to “walk a bit” to receive a wheelchair, but after walking a considerable distance, no wheelchair assistance was provided. During her layover at Dubai, she was also required to take a train to another terminal without assistance, her family said. The situation reportedly worsened at Milan Airport during a two-hour layover for Flight EK205, where, contrary to usual procedures, all passengers were deboarded, and no seating arrangement was available for passengers. Hussain was allegedly made to stand for two hours without a wheelchair or help, despite her age and health. She later fell sick at the airport. World’s airlines rankings: Which are the safest? Other passengers also expressed astonishment at the handling of the situation, questioning how an airline of Emirates’ stature could compel its passengers to stand for two hours without providing any seating or assistance. Her daughter, Ishrat Jahan, currently residing in New York, contacted Emirates customer service in Dubai to seek urgent assistance for her mother. However, she allegedly received an insensitive response, quoting an Emirates agent saying, “They can’t help as she is not in Milan airport and why did I buy this ticket for my mom.” In a Facebook post, Jahan expressed frustration, stating, “These airlines are robbing us with their high-priced tickets in return, is this the customer service we are supposed to get? The worst airline experience ever… no matter what emergencies I have, I will never choose Emirates again.” Such allegations of poor passenger service by Emirates, especially regarding wheelchair assistance and elderly passenger care, have been raised earlier but often went unaddressed, stakeholders said. Despite holding more than 20 percent of the passenger market share in Bangladesh due to limited airline availability, passengers have expressed dissatisfaction with the airline’s declining service standards. When contacted for comments, the Emirates spokesperson said, "We are investigating a customer complaint concerning mobility support at Milan Malpensa Airport.” The airline said it is taking the matter seriously and is working with its airport and ground service partners to review the situation, assuring that the customer will be contacted directly. “We remain committed to providing accessible and inclusive service for all our passengers," he added.

A total of 82 Bangladeshi expatriates returned home from war-ravaged Lebanon in a flight of Emirates Airlines on Thursday night. The flight, ‘EK-584’, carrying the expatriates landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) around 11pm, said a media release sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The repatriation was made with the help of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, Bangladesh Embassy in Lebanon’s Beirut and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Among the returnees, 76 expatriates were repatriated at government expenses while six others were funded by the IOM. The 76 returnees had registered with the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut while the remaining six were registered with the IOM. Read: Govt efforts on to serve expatriate Bangladeshis: Chief Adviser opens waiting lounge at Dhaka airport As of Thursday, a total of 697 Bangladeshis returned from Lebanon through 11 flights. The returnees were welcomed at the HSIA upon their arrival.  

Emirates Airlines announced to operate passenger flights to 52 cities across the world from July 1.

Covid-19 pandemic grounded flights across the world, disrupting air communication and forcing the aviation industry to count unprecedented losses.

Emirates Airline has launched a special activity page on its website  to keep kids entertained during the summer holidays amid the suspension of leisure travel and days out of schools.

Emirates Airlines has suspended its flights with Italy over coronavirus pandemic and it operated its last flight from Rome of Italy on Saturday.