Biman resumes Dubai, Abu Dhabi flights Friday after 13-day hiatus

The flag carrier allows passengers affected by the hiatus to rebook their tickets without additional charge

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to resume its flight operations to Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Friday, ending a 13-day suspension triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The flag carrier announced the decision in a media statement on Thursday.

Services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah had been on hold since Feb 28 due to the regional tension.

According to the revised schedule, two flights will depart from Dhaka on Friday, Mar 13, one to Abu Dhabi at 6am and another to Dubai at 9:30am.

Passengers who held tickets for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah between Feb 28 and Mar 12 can rebook their seats without any additional charges.

Biman has advised affected travellers to contact any Biman sales centre or call centre for seat bookings.

The airline is allowing direct seat bookings at the Dhaka International Airport sales centre up to four hours before departure.

The regional instability has severely disrupted air travel between Bangladesh and the Middle East.

Data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) shows that a total of 423 flights from Dhaka to the Middle East were cancelled over the 13-day suspension.

During this time, 411 flights managed to depart for destinations in the Middle East.