UK Expatriates Demand Resumption of Biman’s Manchester Flight

Bangladeshi expatriates living in the United Kingdom have renewed their demand for the resumption of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ Manchester route, citing long-standing travel difficulties faced by the diaspora community.

The demand was formally conveyed to National Security Adviser and Biman Bangladesh Airlines Director Dr Khalilur Rahman by Humayun Kabir, Joint Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a member of the BNP Chairperson’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee. Dr Rahman assured the delegation that the issue would be given due consideration.

The discussion took place on Thursday at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, where Humayun Kabir led a delegation of leaders from UK BNP in a meeting with the National Security Adviser.

The delegation included Anwar Hossain Khokon, former Vice President of UK BNP and Central International Affairs Secretary; MA Sattar, former Vice President; Nasim Ahmed Chowdhury, former Senior Joint Secretary; Dr Mujibur Rahman, former Office Secretary; Tipu Ahmed, former Assistant General Secretary; Shamim Chowdhury, former Assistant President of UK Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal; and Zahrat Adib Chowdhury, a member of the BNP Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee.

During the meeting, the delegation submitted a memorandum highlighting the expatriate community’s long-standing demand to reinstate the Manchester–Sylhet–Dhaka flight operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. They emphasized that the route had been a lifeline for Bangladeshi expatriates, particularly those originating from the Sylhet region, and its suspension has caused significant hardship for travelers.

The delegation described the demand as a “genuine and humanitarian necessity,” noting that the absence of a direct Manchester route has forced passengers to rely on costly and inconvenient alternatives via London or third countries.

On behalf of UK BNP, the leaders urged the National Security Adviser to take special initiatives to ensure the early resumption of the route in the interest of millions of Bangladeshi expatriates living across the United Kingdom.

Dr Khalilur Rahman acknowledged the concerns raised by the delegation and assured them that the government would review the matter seriously, considering both passenger demand and operational feasibility.

The Manchester route has long been viewed as a crucial link between the UK-based Bangladeshi diaspora and their homeland, and its possible reinstatement is expected to bring relief to thousands of travelers.