The nationwide internet blackout from Thursday evening has caused massive disruptions to airport operations and air passengers are facing severe challenges travelling to and from Bangladesh.
The country’s aviation sector is losing hundreds of crores of taka each day from failure to sell tickets and confirm ticket reservations due to disruptions to mobile financial transactions and online base bill payments.
Saudi Arabia-bound Ishak al Faruq and his elderly mother came to the Dhaka airport from Narayangonj using rickshaws and by hiring ambulances.
“It was a horrible journey. There were no transports available anywhere. Fortunately, we paid for our ticket beforehand, so we will be able to board the flight,” he added.
Broadband internet restored in limited areas after blackoutDubai-bound Anishur Rahman said he came from Sathkhira on Friday even though his flight was scheduled to depart Thursday night.
“If I cannot reach my workplace in time then I will be fired and have to come back to the country. I managed a car, but it dropped me at Paturia ferry ghat and refused to carry me to Dhaka,” he said.
Anisur also had to hire an ambulance for the final stretch to the airport. He too paid for his ticket beforehand, so there was no barrier to boarding his flight.
However, several other passengers who had booked tickets were not so lucky. They failed to reach ticket agencies in time to confirm their ticket in person, and they could not make the payment digitally either due to the internet outage.
Leaders of travel associations estimated daily losses in the hundreds of crores as the ticket selling service has completely halted over the past three days due to the internet blackout.
Officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) acknowledged that 11 international flights had been delayed or canceled for operational reasons, the Microsoft flight data issue and passenger shortages.
On the other hand, officials at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) claimed that the situation at the airport was normal and safe with the regular passenger rush.
They also claimed car rental services are available and the flight network is also normal.
According to airport sources, three Emirates flights, four for Saudi airlines and Air India, and 11 Indigo flights had been canceled.
Dhaka airport Director Kamrul Islam said: “We have arranged accommodations, including food and drink, for passengers if they need at Hajj camp, The Probashy rest house with shuttle transport to makes passenger travel easier.”
He assured that the airport can ensure passenger safety in any situation.
Wishing anonymity, officials at Singapore, Emirates, Turkish, and Flynas airlines said they have been unable to properly contact officials of the respective airlines in Bangladesh, and could not share updated flight information with passengers.
An official from Emirates said they are using “manual exercise” on a temporary basis to contact airline officials and passengers in Dhaka, but ticket sales had come to a standstill.
The official also expressed concern about the logistical support for passengers.
