A Bangladesh Biman Airlines flight carrying Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabias Jeddah to Dhaka has been cancelled due to a mechanical glitch.
The Boeing-777 model flight BG-3956 was approaching the runway for takeoff at 1:00pm local time on Friday, Bushra Islam, a spokesperson for the airlines, said.
The flight failed to take off initially and returned to its starting point. After two and a half hours, the pilot attempted a second takeoff but encountered the same problem.
Bushra said the pilot had the passengers disembark from the plane when there was a problem for the second time, and later arrangements were made for their food and hotel accommodations. "We hope the flight will depart for Dhaka shortly after the issue is fixed."
Earlier on Thursday, a flight from Dhaka to Chattogram returned after 37 minutes of flying due to an air conditioner malfunction. Later, passengers were transferred to Chattogram on another flight.
Flight BG 127 from Chattogram to Abu Dhabi was also cancelled on June 26 due to a crack in the windshield.
