Biman aircraft stuck in Dubai for 26 hours over mechanical error

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight has been stranded at Dubai International Airport for more than 26 hours after a mechanical failure grounded the aircraft, leaving passengers in limbo.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 178 passengers, had been scheduled to travel from Dubai to Dhaka via Sylhet. Instead, travellers have been stuck at the airport as repeated delays failed to resolve the problem.

The aircraft had landed in Dubai from Dhaka at 10:11pm local time on Tuesday, according to bdnews24.com.

Flight BG-248 was scheduled to depart at 12:05am and arrive at Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport at 7:05am on Wednesday, Bangladesh time.

According to Sakia Sultana, Biman’s regional manager in Dubai, the technical fault was discovered after passengers had boarded. The plane was then grounded at the airport.

At least 175 of the stranded travellers were transferred to a hotel, while three others, unable to secure visas, remained in the airport lounge. Sultana said food had been arranged for all passengers.

On Wednesday evening, another Biman flight arrived in Dubai carrying spare parts to repair the Dreamliner.

Passengers were told the flight would begin its journey at 1:30am on Thursday. They were brought back from the hotel to the airport at 9pm.

The departure time was later moved to 2am, and then to 2:30am, but the mechanical fault remained unresolved.

Among those stranded is Maulana Abdul Ahad Jihadi, a well-known religious speaker from Sylhet. “We were kept in a hotel for 21 hours and then brought to Dubai Airport,” he said over the phone.

“But the flight did not leave. No one knows when we will be able to reach Sylhet.”

Habib Ahmed, a passenger from Abu Dhabi, voiced similar frustration. “I had chosen the Biman flight to reach Dhaka quickly,” he said. “But due to the delay, everyone, including women, children and the elderly, has suffered.”

Over the past two months, at least 10 Biman aircraft have reported mechanical faults.

Problems have included detached wheels, bursting tires, engine vibrations, cabin overheating and landing gear doors failing to close, raising mounting concerns among passengers.