Staff Reporter :
Following earlier fare reductions on its Malaysia and Saudi Arabia routes, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has introduced special discounted one-way fares for migrant workers travelling to four additional Middle Eastern countries – United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar.
According to a notification issued by the national flag carrier on Monday, these reduced fares will remain valid until 31 December 2025. The initiative is part of Biman’s broader “Worker Fare” programme aimed at supporting remittance-earning expatriates.
The special fare scheme on the Saudi Arabia and Malaysia routes – originally introduced for travel between 10 February and 30 June – has
also been extended, the airline confirmed.
Under the programme, the base fare (excluding taxes) was previously set at $ 360 for the Dhaka-Saudi Arabia route, $150 for Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur, and $175 for departures to Kuala Lumpur from other Bangladeshi cities.
By contrast, current base fares charged by agents for these routes typically range from $400 to $ 480 for Saudi Arabia, and $300 to $350 for Malaysia.
Initially, passengers were required to present a valid Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) card or undergo verification to access the discounted fares. However, this requirement has now been relaxed.
“We’ve made the process more accessible,” said ABM Raoshan Kabir, General Manager of Biman’s Public Relations Department. “Previously, BMET verification caused some complications. Now, passengers simply need to provide proof that they are travelling as migrant workers – BMET verification is no longer mandatory.”
The offer remains unavailable to those travelling on Umrah visas, family visit visas, or holding foreign residence permits.
Kabir further explained that the discounted tickets fall under the ‘T’ category of the Reservation Booking Designator (RBD), representing the lowest fare class. Availability is limited to a certain number of seats per flight, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Not every passenger on a flight will receive the discounted fare,” he added. “However, if a traveller misses the offer on one flight, they may still secure it on the next.”
This expanded fare scheme is seen as a welcome step for overseas workers, many of whom face significant financial pressure when travelling to their job destinations.
