Air India informed that its has cancelled all its flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect in view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Crisis: Air India on Monday announced the cancellation of all flights to Bangladesh capital Dhaka in wake of the political crisis in the neighbouring country which was triggered after the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned and fled to India amid raging protests against her government.
In a statement issued on social media platforms, Air India informed that its has cancelled all its flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect. The Tata Group-owned aircraft has offered a one-time waiver on cancellation and rescheduling charges on confirmed booking to and from the Bangladesh capital city.
“In view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh, we have cancelled the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Dhaka with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges,” the Air India statement read.
“Safety of our guests and crew remains our foremost priority. For more information, please call our 24/7 Contact Centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999,” the airline added.
Bangladesh crisis
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position and fled the country on Monday, amid massive protests against her government that claimed more than 100 lives in the last two days.
In a televised address, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced that Hasina has resigned and left the country, and an interim government under his watch is taking over.
“I’m taking all responsibility (of the country). Please cooperate,” the Army Chief said in his address amid reports that Hasina has landed in Agartala– the capital of Tripura in India– and is likely to seek asylum in London.
The Army chief said he had met political leaders and told them the Army would take over responsibility for law and order. However, there were no leaders from Hasina’s Awami League party at the meeting.
Hasina, the 76-year-old daughter of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had been ruling the strategically located South Asian nation since 2009.
She was elected for a record fourth consecutive term and fifth overall term in the 12th general election held in January, amid a boycott by the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former premier Khaleda Zia and its allies.