The UK government has announced plans for the first rescue flights to bring stranded travellers home from Bangladesh.

Four flights will operate this week from the capital Dhaka to London, for “British tourists, short term visitors and their direct dependants”.

For those currently located in the northeastern city of Sylhet, there is also the option of a domestic transfer to Dhaka ahead of the flights to London.

The flights to London will run on Tuesday April 21, Thursday April 23, Saturday April 25 and Sunday April 26.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has provided the following information for travellers looking to return home.

  • The cost of these flights is £600 per person whether departing from Sylhet or Dhaka
  • To be eligible to take these flights, you must be normally resident in the UK. Eligibility will be checked before tickets are issued.
  • If you wish to travel, book tickets on the CTM website as soon as possible.
  • Flight bookings for each flight will close 24 hours before the flight is scheduled to depart. Tickets will not be on sale at the airport. Do not travel to the airport without a confirmed ticket.

Travellers unable to complete the online form should send a SMS text message containing ONLY your full name to +44 786 009 3014, after which they will be contacted for assistance.

The gov.uk website also has the following information on commercial flight options from Bangladesh:

“There are currently no commercial options available to return to the UK from Bangladesh. This is due to flight restrictions announced by the Government of Bangladesh.

“Biman Airlines has extended the suspension of its domestic and international flights, including from the UK until April 30. China Southern and US Bangla airlines are still operating flights to China but these are for Chinese nationals only.

“The British High Commission Dhaka is in contact with airlines, the Bangladesh authorities and other governments to make sure commercial options for returning to the UK are also available as soon as possible.”

This week The British High Commission confirmed plans for 17 additional rescue flights to bring stranded British nationals home from India.

The rescue flights from Bangladesh and India are part of a £75 million programme to bring Britons stranded abroad back to the UK.

gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bangladesh