A harrowing tale of Biman passengers 

On August 6, 2026, I travelled on Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ BG-306 from Toronto to Dhaka via Rome. What was supposed to be a routine journey turned into a prolonged ordeal for me and around 260 fellow passengers.

After landing at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, we were initially told that the transit would take about one hour and 25 minutes. Instead, hours passed without clear information about the reason for the delay. Later, we were told that the aircraft had a technical problem involving its air-conditioning system and that its power would be shut down temporarily. What followed was extremely distressing. Children, elderly passengers and other vulnerable travellers remained inside the aircraft for hours. Eventually, after roughly eight hours, we were allowed to leave the plane. But getting off the aircraft did not end our ordeal.

Passengers holding Canadian and US passports were reportedly allowed to leave the airport and were provided with hotel accommodation and food. But around 176 Bangladeshi passport holders could not leave because they did not have Italian visas. We therefore remained inside the airport for hours, waiting for information and assistance.

At one point, we were told that a transit visa might be arranged and were asked to wait in a queue. After waiting for about two hours, we were informed that the visa would not be issued and that we would have to remain at the airport until the aircraft was repaired. Throughout this period, adequate food, rest and reliable information were not consistently available.


Only later in the evening did a Biman representative and a Bangladesh embassy official arrive and speak with us. We were told that engineers and spare parts would be brought from Bangladesh and that the aircraft would eventually take us to Dhaka. A lounge was arranged for a few hours, but it was not open throughout the night and did not adequately address the needs of exhausted and hungry passengers.

The following day, we again spent long hours inside the airport. Breakfast was limited to items that many passengers could not eat, while meal vouchers were provided later. Finally, after another long wait, we were informed that the flight would depart for Dhaka. In total, passengers reached Dhaka roughly 42 hours later than originally scheduled.

As a Bangladeshi, I chose Biman despite having alternatives. Like many other passengers, I bought the ticket with the expectation that the national flag carrier would provide professional service. That expectation is not unreasonable. Passengers are not merely ticket holders; they are people travelling with children, elderly relatives, medicines, work commitments and financial limitations. The passengers of BG-306 are now preparing a collective application seeking compensation and reimbursement for expenses incurred during the prolonged delay. We also want clarification about the technical failure, the decision-making process, the availability of alternative arrangements and the responsibilities of Biman’s Rome office and other relevant parties. My experience has convinced me that criticism of a public institution should not be driven by anger alone. It should be based on documents, facts and the accounts of those directly involved. At the same time, institutions must be willing to answer legitimate questions when citizens face serious hardship.

What I want is not simply an apology. I want Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the relevant authorities to review their emergency passenger-care procedures, particularly for prolonged delays involving passengers who cannot leave an airport because of visa restrictions. The airline should also explain what contingency arrangements exist for food, medical care, accommodation, communication and alternative travel during such emergencies.

We want to be proud of Biman as Bangladesh’s flag carrier. That pride will become meaningful only when professionalism, accountability and humanity are reflected in the experience of its passengers-even when unexpected problems occur. My experience on BG-306 has made me believe that this is not merely a question of compensation; it is a question of whether our national airline can treat its passengers with the dignity they deserve.