Staff reporter :
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has barred cabin crew from carrying suit hangers on flights to several Middle Eastern destinations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Medina, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, Kuwait, and Muscat.
Sources within the airline said the move comes after some crew members were found transporting smuggled items, including gold, concealed inside suit hangers. The new directive also aims to curb the extra weight—between five and ten kilograms—that crew members sometimes carry in these hangers.
In a circular issued on 17 September, Biman stated: “Cabin crew are strictly prohibited from carrying suit hangers on flights bound for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Medina, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, Kuwait, and Muscat. This instruction must be followed without exception. Any failure to comply will be considered a serious breach of duty.”
Flights to long-haul destinations such as London, Manchester, Istanbul, and Toronto are exempt from the ban, though the airline did not provide a reason for this exception.
A senior Biman official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the airline incurs substantial extra fuel costs each year due to the additional weight of suit hangers. Typically, 10 cabin crew are deployed on Boeing 787 flights, 12 on Boeing 777 flights, and 4 on Boeing 737 flights, sources confirmed.
The practice of using suit hangers dates back to 1984 when male pursers were issued service jackets for meal distribution in business class. Over time, cabin crew began using hangers to carry extra clothing, even when their luggage allowed sufficient space.
While some crew members argue that additional uniforms are necessary during meal service due to occasional soiling, Biman officials rejected this explanation, noting that extra uniforms can be carried in hand luggage.
