Biman makes emergency landing in India as pilot feels unwell

A representational image of Bangladesh Biman.

Bangladesh desk: A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines from Oman made an emergency landing in an India airport on Friday morning on way back to Dhaka carrying 124 passengers.

An eight-member rescue team with two pilots was scheduled to fly to Nagpur at about 6:45pm on a Dubai-bound flight from Dhaka.

None was hurt while the flight BG 022 captain Nawshad Ataul Kaiyum, 45, was evacuated and rushed to Hope International Hospital after first officer Mustakim landed the scheduled flight at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport Indian city of Nagpur in Maharashtra at 10:40 Indian local time.

The national flag carrier, Biman, later in the day said the pilot felt sick while the flight was crossing Indian airspace in Roypur and soon it contacted to the nearby air traffic control which advised the Boeing 737-800 aircraft to land in Nagpur.

The pilot was taken to the hospital upon landing and his condition was improving while all passengers were taken to the airport lounge for rest where they were served food.

Biman’s deputy manager (public relations) Tahera Khandaker said that the office country manager posted in Delhi was moved to Nagpur urgently in the backdrop of the situation.

The flight was en route Dhaka from Muscat, the capital of Oman, and was scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:30am on Friday.

Captain Mahbubur Rahman, the president of Bangladesh Airlines’ Pilot Association, said an angiogram was done shortly after his colleague was taken to the hospital.

‘We seek prayer from all,’ he added.

He said that two more pilots were set to fly to Nagpur to bring the aircraft with the passengers by Friday night.