A non-scheduled Sri Lanka Airlines flight left Dhaka for Melbourne with 220 Australian citizens along with their families early Saturday.
The special flight also carried eight New Zealand citizens and permanent residents on their way back to New Zealand.
Together with 285 passengers who departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 16, over 500 have so far returned home to Australia, said the Australian High Commission in Dhaka.The High Commission said they, for the second time in three weeks, helped Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families to return to Australia.
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer was present at the airport to see them off.
A number of High Commission staff were also there to ensure the process went smoothly.
“Most passenger flights to and from Bangladesh are still suspended because of COVID-19. As part of our global response to the pandemic, we’ve been continuing to work hard so Australians can return home,” the High Commissioner said.
“We’re grateful to Sri Lankan Airlines and the Bangladesh government for helping them get there.”
The High Australian Commission personnel worked closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, local law enforcement agencies and airport officials to facilitate the second flight.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Australian government has helped over 15,000 Australians to return home from overseas, including from cruise ships and by using one-off arrangements with commercial airlines.
