Air India suspends flights to and from Dhaka as unrest continues in Bangladesh

Amid unrest in Bangladesh, Air India on Monday suspended flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect.

The airlines have also announced a one-time waiver on rescheduling or cancellation charges for passengers. Stating that the safety of the passengers and the crew members is its priority, Air India said, “In view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh, we have cancelled the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect.

We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Dhaka with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges. The safety of our guests and crew remains our foremost priority. For more information, please call our 24/7 Contact Centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999.”

In the past few days, fresh violence that claimed the lives of over 300 people in Bangladesh has forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign from the top post. She also fled the country as the violent protesters stormed Hasina’s residence ‘Ganabhaban’ in Dhaka. Thousands of protesters looted, vandalised and raided rooms of her residence.

The protests against a quota system for government jobs turned violent on July 16 when student activists clashed with security officials and pro-government activists, prompting authorities to disperse tear gas, fire rubber bullets and impose a curfew with a shoot-on-sight order. Internet and mobile data were also turned off.

Sheikh Hasina was sworn-in as Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the record fifth time in January earlier this year.