Staff Reporter :
The UK will operate four special flights from Dhaka to London for British tourists, short term visitors and their direct dependants to return to the UK from Tuesday (April 21-26 ).
British visitors currently in Sylhet will also have the option of booking a domestic transfer from Sylhet to Dhaka ahead of each of these flights, said the British government.
Up to 150,000 British nationals visit Bangladesh every year. There are currently no commercial options available to return to the UK from Bangladesh due to flight restrictions announced by the Government of Bangladesh. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson in a video message said, “I’m very pleased to announce the start of our charter programme taking British visitors home from Bangladesh to the UK.”
He said, they have worked very hard to keep the cost of these flights as low as they can. “The price per head will be £600 whether you’re starting in Dhaka or Sylhet.”
The willing British citizens can book these flights through Corporate Travel Management (CTM) or travel management partner.
“I’m very pleased that we’ve this charter programme up and running. Thank you for your patience, and I’m delighted that you’ll now have the opportunity to return home to the UK very soon,” said the British High Commissioner.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has extended the suspension of its domestic and international flights, including from the UK until April 30.
China Southern and US Bangla airlines are still operating flights to China but these are for Chinese nationals only.
To be eligible to take these flights, one must be normally resident in the UK. Eligibility will be checked before tickets are issued, according to the latest travel advisory.
Bookings for each British Airways flight will close 24 hours before the flight is scheduled to depart and tickets will not be on sale at the airport.
When travelling to Dhaka or Sylhet Airport, all must carry hard copies of flight confirmation and passports easily to hand.
“Once your booking is confirmed, you will also be issued with an official British High Commission document to show the authorities at any check points should that be necessary,” reads the travel advice.
The British High Commission Dhaka is in contact with airlines, the Bangladesh authorities and other governments to make sure commercial options for returning to the UK are also available as soon as possible.
Cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Bangladesh.
