A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight bound for Chennai returned from the runway just seconds before takeoff after a passenger on board suddenly fell seriously ill.
The BG-363 flight was scheduled to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:20am on Wednesday (April 8). However, moments before takeoff, the aircraft aborted its departure and returned to the boarding bridge after a passenger became critically unwell.
Airport authorities said the cabin crew alerted the pilot to the passenger’s condition while the aircraft was on the runway preparing for departure. The pilot immediately contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC), informing them that takeoff was not possible and requesting permission to return to the boarding bridge.
According to ATC sources, the flight had already received takeoff clearance and was positioned on the runway when the pilot reported the medical emergency. He told ATC: “I cannot take off now. A passenger on board has become seriously ill. I need to return to the boarding bridge.”
ATC responded that two military aircraft had already been cleared to land and asked whether any medical assistance was required. The pilot replied that ground services had been alerted and were ready to provide medical support, adding that the patient was being given oxygen onboard, and requested priority clearance to return.
After the military aircraft landed, the flight was allowed to return to the boarding bridge, where the ill passenger was safely disembarked.
Following the incident, the flight departed at 1:10pm after a delay of nearly two hours. Operated by a Boeing 737, the flight landed in Chennai at 3:07pm after a journey of approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes.
Biman authorities said the decision was taken promptly, prioritising passenger safety and the need for emergency medical assistance.