Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has imposed a visitor ban for non-passengers from 6pm on Wednesday to 6pm on Thursday.
Biman Bangladesh spokesperson Kausar Mahmud confirmed the move on Tuesday, citing operational and security reasons to ensure passenger services and airport discipline. He urged the public and concerned parties to cooperate.
The decision comes ahead of the return of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from London. The government will enforce maximum security measures, restricting access to the airport area until his departure. Only passengers with valid tickets and passports will be allowed inside. Members of the BNP welcoming Tarique Rahman, however, will be permitted entry.
Tarique Rahman has requested that no passengers face harassment due to his arrival. Security measures start from the flight carrying him. Upon landing, law enforcement and intelligence agencies will form a strict security cordon around him.
Tarique Rahman and his family are scheduled to fly from London’s Heathrow Airport to Dhaka on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG202 on Wednesday evening. Two cabin crew previously assigned to the flight have been removed as part of the security protocol.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines authorities held a meeting on Monday with representatives from various agencies to review security and VIP arrangements for Tarique Rahman’s flight.
