United News of Bangladesh

Eight  international flights could not land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday morning due to dense fog, airport sources said. The flights were diverted to Chattogram, Kolkata and Bangkok as visibility dropped sharply over the capital,  Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) officials said. They said flight operations will resume as normal once weather condition improves. US. Airlines cancel 1,000 flights amid FAA-ordered service reductions Airlines concerned are providing meals and hotel facilities to passengers of delayed flights as required, it added. Severe cold weather has gripped Dhaka and other parts of the country, disrupting normal life. Dense fog and cold winds have added to the hardship especially during the morning hours. The Met office forecast dry weather with partly cloudy sky across the country. It also said moderate to dense fog may occur in different areas from midnight to morning and in some places, may continue until noon.

The Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Thursday. The flight, BG-102 departed Sylhet Osmani International Airport at 11:04 am and landed at Shahjalal Airport at 11:44 am, said BNP Chairperosn’s press wing member Shamsuddin Didar . Earlier, the aircraft landed in Sylhet at 9:57 am after leaving London’s Heathrow Airport around 12:23 am BST. Senior BNP leaders, including members of the party’s Standing Committee, were present at the airport to welcome Tarique Rahman. Tarique  is accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, and other personal aides. After arrival, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to briefly address party leaders, supporters and the nation near the 300 Feet area of the capital, where thousands of supporters have gathered. Red bus with ‘Bangladesh first’ slogan ready at Dhaka airport for Tarique He is expected to thank the people and offer a short prayer expressing gratitude for his safe return. A red bus bearing the slogan “Bangladesh First” has been kept ready in front of the airport’s VIP terminal for his onward journey. Party sources said Tarique Rahman will travel on the bus to the stage set up at the July 36 Expressway, also known as the 300 Feet area, where a reception has been arranged to mark his return. Heightened security measures were seen in and around the airport area as preparations continued for his movement to the programme venue.

The air ambulance, equipped with all emergency facilities for a critical patient, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport carrying bullet-hit Dhaka-8 aspiring independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi to Singapore for advanced treatment on Monday (December 15, 2025). The ambulance, operated by Aspro Aviation, took off from the airport at 1:55pm, said SM Ragib Samad, executive director of the airport.  Earlier, the ambulance landed at 11:22am. Read more: Govt to bear all costs for Hadi’s overseas treatment: Salehuddin Meanwhile, an ambulance carrying Hadi arrived at the airport from the Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara area.    The decision to send Hadi abroad for treatment was taken on Sunday. The press wing of the Chief Adviser’s office said that necessary preparations, including the medical air ambulance, a team of doctors, and travel arrangements, had been completed. Arrangements for his treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of Singapore General Hospital have also been made. It was also stated that the government will bear all medical expenses for Hadi’s treatment. Hadi to be flown to Singapore on Monday: CA’s Press Wing The Chief Adviser has instructed authorities concerned to monitor his treatment process around the clock, seeking prayers from the nation for Hadi’s speedy recovery. Over the past two days, the government contacted several hospitals in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia to arrange for Hadi’s advanced treatment. According to Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the Chief Adviser on health matters, Hadi’s current condition remains stable and unchanged. Hadi, spokesman of the Inquilab Mancho, was attacked on Friday in Bijoynagar Box Culvert area of Dhaka while traveling in a rickshaw. The assailants on a motorcycle shot at his head with intent to kill and fled. He is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Read more: Hadi shooting: DUCSU leaders march to Home Adviser’s office

An air ambulance, equipped with all emergency facilities for a critical patient, has landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to take bullet-hit Dhaka-8 aspiring independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi to Singapore for advance treatment. The ambulance landed today (December 15, 2025) at 11:22am, the airport authorities said. They said if all goes as planned, the air ambulance operated by Aspro Aviation, will depart for Singapore at noon with Hadi on board. The decision to send Hadi abroad for treatment was taken on Sunday (December 14, 2025). Read more: RAB arrests three more in Hadi shooting case The press wing of the Chief Adviser’s office said that necessary preparations, including the medical air ambulance, a team of doctors, and travel arrangements, had been completed. Arrangements for his treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of Singapore General Hospital have also been made. It was also stated that the government will bear all medical expenses for Hadi’s treatment. The Chief Adviser has instructed authorities concerned to monitor his treatment process around the clock, seeking prayers from the nation for Hadi’s speedy recovery. Over the past two days, the government contacted several hospitals in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia to arrange for Hadi’s advanced treatment. According to Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the Chief Adviser on health matters, Hadi’s current condition remains stable and unchanged. Read more: Hadi to be flown to Singapore on Monday: CA’s Press Wing Hadi, spokesman of the Inquilab Mancho, was attacked on Friday in Bijoynagar Box Culvert area of Dhaka while traveling in a rickshaw. The assailants on a motorcycle shot at his head with intent to kill and fled. He is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

A fire broke out at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday. The fire broke out at the cargo village of gate No 8 of the airport around 2:30 pm, said Talha Bin Jashim, an official of the Fire Service and Civil Defense (Media cell). Thirty Seven firefighting units are working to bring the blaze under control, he said. Flight operations suspended at Shahjalal Airport after fire in cargo section Members of Bangladesh Army, Air Force and two platoons of BGB have joined the efforts to douse the fire. Flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka have been suspended. According to airport sources, all take-offs and landings have remained halted since the blaze erupted around 2:30 pm in the cargo area, said Md Masudul Hasan Masud, spokesperson for the airport’s executive director.    

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 Turkish Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday morning minutes after takeoff from the airport. The Turkey-bound flight TK-713 carrying 290 passengers departed the airport at 7am and minutes after it made the emergency landing due to an unexpected bird strike on the second engine, said a statement sent from Team TK Dhaka.  Dubai-bound Biman flight makes emergency landing in India’s Nagpur Airport sources said noticing fire on the engine the pilot decided to make the emergency landing and exhausted all reserved fuel roaming in the sky to avert any unexpected incident. Finally, the aircraft made the landing at 8:15am, with no casualty. “We are pleased to confirm that all passengers, crew and the aircraft are safe. As the aircraft requires repairs, the process will take some time,” reads the statement.  2 bodies found in landing gear of JetBlue plane at Florida airport Earlier on May 16, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight also made an emergency landing at the Dhaka airport after detachment of a wheel following takeoff from Cox’s Bazar airport.

A man was arrested with 2,820 pieces of Yaba tablets hidden in his stomach at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport,  said Airport Armed Police Battalion on Friday. A case was filed under Narcotics Control Act with Airport police station on Friday morning. Based on secret information, the arrestee, Hossain Ahmed, 60, was detained near the northern side of the airport’s Balaka building after arriving in Dhaka from Cox’s Bazar on Biman Bangladesh domestic flight BS-152, on Wednesday. Upon questioning, Hossain admitted to carrying Yaba pills inside his stomach. He was taken to the airport medical unit, where an X-ray revealed 30 capsule-shaped objects in his abdomen. He was later transferred to Kurmitola General Hospital, where, under medical supervision, he expelled 30 tape-wrapped packets through natural means.  Inside the packets, a total of 2,820 Yaba tablets were found. Police said Hossain had long been involved in drug trafficking. Unidentified woman killed in road accident in city's Banani Airport Armed Police said more than 16,000 Yaba pills were recovered in separate recent drives, which led to the arrest of five other drug traffickers. “Recently, drug smuggling through the airport has noticeably increased. We remain alert to prevent any criminal activities in and around the airport,” said Additional Superintendent of Police Anita Rani Sutradhar of the Airport Armed Police Battalion.    

Members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have arrested a member of a human trafficking gang from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. A team of CID arrested Fabiha Jerin Tamanna from the airport while she was trying to flee to Nepal on Wednesday night, said Jashim Uddin, special superintendent of police (media) of CID on Thursday. When briefing, police said Jerin was a partner of Dream Home Travels and Tours Ltd and an active member of a human trafficking gang. Dristi murder in Bagerhat: 3 including main accused arrested The gang used to lure people with the promise of good jobs in Russia. Then they were handed over to Russian soldiers as slaves. Instead of promised jobs, they were given military training and forced to fight in the war against Ukraine. Those who resisted were subjected to physical and mental abuse, including being deprived of food in an attempt to break their mental will. Besides, they were forced to participate in the war against Ukraine. During the investigation, CID came to know that Humayun Kabir of Singra upazila in Natore district was killed in the war and Aminul from Keraniganj, Dhaka, was severely injured. 25 arrested in anti-crime drive at Mohammadpur Among the ten victims, Akram Hossain, 24, of Palash upazila in Narsingdi district, managed to flee the training camp and returned to Bangladesh on January 26. After returning, he contacted the families of the other victims. Based on the information provided by him, Jhumu Akter, wife of war-wounded Aminul, filed a case at Banani Police Station on February 2. Following the case, CID arrested Jerin from Dhaka airport. After primary interrogation, Jerin admitted her involvement in the criminal activities. Through the confessional statement, CID also learned that another group of 10 individuals is currently in Saudi Arabia.  

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has issued directives to implement precautionary measures against the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The directives were issued one day after a case of HMPV virus was detected in the country. Following the guidance from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the directive was issued on Monday and passengers, airport staff and airline crew must comply with these instructions. According to the notice, any passenger or staff member showing symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath must immediately inform the health service team at the airport. Besides, wearing masks and using hand sanitisers has been strongly recommended at the Dhaka airport. According to the notice issued for airlines, precautionary measures will be enhanced for flights arriving from countries suspected to have HMPV outbreaks. Airlines are also instructed to disseminate these guidelines to both crew and passengers. The health team at the airport has been asked to conduct health screenings to the passengers who have such symptoms and provide necessary information and assistance to ensure effective implementation of health protocols. HMPV in India: Lack of precautionary measures at Hili land port According to airport authorities, symptoms of HMPV resemble common respiratory illnesses and typically resolve within 2–5 days. However, taking precautions can prevent the spread of the virus. For further assistance, passengers can contact the airport health team at 01799430033 or the call center at 13600 at any time. India urges states to boost surveillance of HMPV cases "All stakeholders are requested to follow these directives to prevent HMPV infections. The airport authorities remain committed to ensuring the safety of passengers, staff, and visitors,” said Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's Executive Director, Group Captain Mohammad Kamrul Islam while talking to UNB.