2 Biman cabin crews removed from Tarique’s flight

Staff Reporter :

Two cabin crew members have been withdrawn from a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight scheduled to carry BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, citing security concerns, airline sources said.

The decision was taken late Saturday following intelligence assessments that indicated potential security risks, including information about the crew members’ alleged political affiliations.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to return to Dhaka from London on December 25. The designated Biman flight, BG-202, is set to depart London’s Heathrow Airport for Dhaka on the previous night.

According to airline officials, Junior Purser Md Sawgatul Alam Sawgat and Flight Stewardess Jiniya Islam Jiniya were initially finalised as cabin crew for the flight earlier in the afternoon.

However, later that night, an intelligence report raised concerns over possible security implications for a VIP passenger, leading to the withdrawal of their assignments. The two were subsequently replaced by Flight Purser Mostafa and Flight Stewardess Ayat, the airline’s flight services department confirmed.