Route to be suspended from May 1 to July 10, 2025, to allocate aircraft for pilgrimage flights; free rebooking, refunds, or London rerouting offered
In a move underscoring the national carrier’s commitment to facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has announced a temporary suspension of its Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route to free up aircraft for its special Hajj flight operations.
A press release from the airline stated that, as in previous years, Biman is giving “the highest priority” to ensuring smooth and comfortable travel for Hajj pilgrims. To achieve this, the airline will reallocate resources by adjusting flight frequencies and aircraft on various routes.
Consequently, the Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route and its return service will be temporarily suspended from May 1 to July 10, 2025. Regular twice-weekly flights on this route are scheduled to resume from July 11, 2025.
Passenger-Centric Compensation Measures
Recognizing the inconvenience to its international passengers, Biman has announced a comprehensive set of flexible options for affected travelers. The airline has assured that passengers who have already purchased tickets for travel within the suspension period are entitled to the following, at no extra cost:
- Full Refund: A complete refund of the ticket price.
- Free Date Change: The option to change their flight date, subject to seat availability on a later flight.
- Route Change to London: Affected passengers can opt to have their entire itinerary rerouted via the Dhaka-Sylhet-London (Heathrow) route instead. This option applies to both outbound and return journeys.
“These measures reflect our responsibility to both our sacred duty of serving Hajj pilgrims and our valued regular passengers,” a senior Biman official stated. “We aim to minimize disruption and offer clear, cost-free solutions.”
Ticket Sales and Future Operations
The airline confirmed that ticket sales for the Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route for travel on or after July 11, 2025, will remain open through all standard channels. These include Biman sales counters, its official website, mobile app, and all authorized distribution partners.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage is a peak operational period for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, requiring significant logistical planning and the dedicated use of aircraft to transport thousands of pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia. This temporary adjustment of a long-haul route highlights the scale of resources the state-owned carrier commits to the national religious obligation.
Traveler Advisory:
Passengers holding tickets for the affected Manchester route between May 1 and July 10, 2025, are advised to contact Biman Bangladesh Airlines directly, their travel agent, or the original point of purchase to avail themselves of the refund, rebooking, or rerouting options.