More than a hundred passengers on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight have been subjected to extreme suffering after being stranded inside an aircraft for nine hours at Rome Fiumicino (FCO) Airport following a technical malfunction.
The ordeal began on flight BG306, travelling from Toronto to Dhaka via Rome. After landing in the Italian capital on Thursday afternoon for a scheduled stopover, the aircraft’s air conditioning (AC) system failed.
Passengers, including children, the elderly, and those with medical conditions, were reportedly kept inside the plane for approximately nine hours in stifling heat.
Stranded passengers expressed frustration over a lack of clear communication from the national flag carrier, noting they were unable to maintain regular contact with their families.
During the delay, uncertainty remained as to whether Biman would provide a replacement aircraft or wait for the original plane to be repaired. Eventually, passengers were offloaded to the airport’s transit area.
The impact of the delay extends beyond the flight itself; many passengers are facing additional distress due to missed domestic connecting flights in Dhaka, as well as medical appointments, business meetings, and pre-scheduled family programmes.
In a statement issued Friday, in response to media reports of the incident, Biman Bangladesh Airlines confirmed the “unexpected technical glitch”. The airline stated that essential technical examinations and repairs are currently underway, asserting that passenger safety is their “highest priority.”
Biman has arranged hotel accommodation, meals, and other necessary assistance for the passengers currently in Rome. The updated departure schedule for flight BG306 will be announced once the technical issues are fully resolved.
The technical failure has also disrupted the outbound flight BG305 (Dhaka–Rome–Toronto), which utilises the same aircraft.
Biman has rescheduled BG305 to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Saturday at 1pm. Passengers have been requested to report to the airport by 9am.
Expressing “sincere regrets” for the inconvenience, Biman thanked passengers for their patience and cooperation. For further assistance, passengers can contact the Biman hotline at 13636.
