Bangladesh fines Maldivian Airlines

Maldivian flight at Velana International Airport | Photo: Maldivian

Malé, Maldives —  National Airline Maldivian has been fined by Bangladeshi authorities after most of the 200 Bangladeshi passengers abroad a Maldivian flight to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) did not carry a negative Covid-19 result certificate.

HSIA’s Executive Magistrate Ahmed Zamil revealed to Bangladeshi media that Maldivian Airlines has been fined Tk 236,000 (around USD 2800) by the airport.

‘There was clear instruction that all inbound passengers from abroad must carry Covid-19 negative certificates. But these passengers were allowed to travel without any test done,’ he said

Zamil explained that 118 passengers on the special flight to Dhaka failed to show Covid-19 negative certificates, while 82 others had a Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) card.

The Airport health authorities allowed the BMET card holders to proceed to 14 day home quarantine after health screening at the airport, while passengers without the Covid-19 negative certificates were sent to institutional quarantine facilities, the Zamil noted.

From December 5, the civil aviation authorities have made Covid-19 negative certificates compulsory for international flights coming to Bangladesh, aiming to control the second wave of Covid-19.

Bangladesh has previously given warnings to 9 different international Airlines for failing to follow this rule.