Staff Reporter :
The back-and-forth over the air ambulance arranged for ailing former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has turned into a full-blown national talking point among political circles and ordinary citizens.
What began as a straightforward medical evacuation has now become a mix of uncertainty, technical explanations, and diplomatic coordination – all without a clear final answer.
The air ambulance that was supposed to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday will not land after all. The Germany-based FAI Aviation Group, which had been contracted to operate the aircraft, has requested to cancel its previously approved landing slot at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (Caab) officials confirmed the media that the cancellation request was submitted through a local coordinating agency, and the matter will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the original plan, the air ambulance – a Bombardier Challenger 604 (CL60) – was due to land at 08:20 on Tuesday and depart for London around 21:00 the same evening. The timing was shared publicly by airport officials, prompting widespread discussion about whether Khaleda Zia’s medical evacuation was finally moving forward after weeks of speculation.
Caab officials had made it clear that the schedule remained subject to last-minute changes depending on the assessment of Khaleda Zia’s medical board.
Her doctors have yet to issue a final decision on whether she is fit to travel, despite the Qatar government arranging the entire evacuation aircraft and selecting a long-range medical transport suitable for her condition.
The Challenger 604, popular for intercontinental medical missions, had been chosen for its extended range and high-reliability medical configuration.
Meanwhile, political commentary has taken over social media and tea-stall conversations. For days, rumours circulated that the air ambulance would come from Qatar, then from Germany, then from Georgia’s Tbilisi airport.
Each claim was followed by a counter-claim citing technical reasons, paperwork delays, or medical uncertainties. The repeated shifts have left many people confused and many others sceptical.
Khaleda Zia has been under intensive medical care since being hospitalised on 23 November due to severe illness.
Doctors identified a lung infection and later moved her to the Coronary Care Unit. The government has declared her a VVIP patient, assigning SSF protection around her.
A large medical team – including specialists from Bangladesh, the UK, and China – is supervising her treatment at Evercare Hospital.
Physician and BNP Standing Committee member Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain on Sunday said that Khaleda Zia’s health condition remains unchanged. The medical board including specialist physicians form the United Kingdom has kept her under intensive observation in the CCU.
