Bangladeshi expatriates in the United Kingdom (UK) are worried over Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ decision to suspend flights between Sylhet and Manchester. However, community leaders have threatened to stage protests if the route launched in 2019 is closed permanently.
In protest against the decision, UK-based Bangladeshi community groups will hold a rally in Oldham on January 13, demanding the continuation of the flight. Greater Sylhet Development and Welfare Council (GSDWC) UK has also declared a series of programmes.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines recently announced the suspension of Sylhet–Manchester flight from February 1. Following strong reactions from expatriates and stakeholders at home and abroad, the airline later extended the suspension deadline until March 1. However, expatriate leaders say the extension has failed to address their concerns.
In a joint statement, Bangladesh Expatriates Welfare Council (BEPKC) President Alhaj Abdul Bari and General Secretary Mustaq Babul said the route has long served as a vital and time-saving travel option for Bangladeshis living in northern England. They warned that its closure would force passengers to travel via London or other transit hubs, significantly increasing travel time, costs, and physical strain—particularly for elderly passengers.
They confirmed that a protest meeting would be held on January 13 at the OBA Millennium Centre in Oldham, with further actions planned if the decision is not reversed.
UK-based Bangladeshi industrialist Iqbal Ahmed OBE criticised the broader state of aviation infrastructure in Sylhet. He said no international airlines—other than Biman—operate from Osmani International Airport, often citing incomplete terminal construction as a reason. “Instead of upgrading the airport and attracting foreign carriers, attempts are being made to shut down the only direct long-haul route,” he said, warning that expatriates would launch a strong movement if the airport is not upgraded to full international standards.
Sufi Suhail Ahmed, General Secretary of the South East Region of the GSDWC UK, said the runway expansion project at Osmani Airport, which began in 2019, remains unfinished even after seven years. He described the airport’s failure to meet international standards as a major source of hardship for expatriates from the Sylhet region.
Because only Biman operates from the airport, travellers heading to Europe and the Middle East face significant difficulties, he said. He added that large Bangladeshi communities live in Scotland, Manchester, and Birmingham, many of whom depend heavily on the Sylhet–Manchester route. Its closure, he warned, would create serious logistical and financial challenges.
KM Abu Chowdhury, Media Director of Voice for Global Bangladesh, described the suspension as “insulting” to expatriates. He said authorities should be working to attract foreign airlines to Sylhet rather than shutting down existing services, and warned of tougher protest in the coming weeks.
Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), Sylhet Zone former president Ziaur Rahman Khan Rezwan said the Sylhet–Manchester route was consistently fully booked, yet Biman cited aircraft shortages and Hajj operations as reasons for suspension. He pointed out that Hajj flights are not expected to begin until late April, nearly three months after the announced suspension.
Bosra Islam, General Manager (Public Relations) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said she was unaware of the suspension of the Sylhet–Madinah and Sylhet–Doha routes. She rejected claims of regional bias, stating that such decisions are made institutionally and that the airline’s official notice outlines the reasons for the Sylhet–Manchester flight suspension.