Dhaka landing of Khaleda Zia’s air ambulance called off: Reports

Dhaka: The air ambulance scheduled to transfer ailing former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London will not land in Dhaka on 9 December as previously planned according to reports.

The development follows a withdrawal request submitted by Germany-based FAI Aviation Group, which had initially sought approval to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).

Officials at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) confirmed that a local coordinating agency filed a formal application on behalf of the aviation operator to cancel the earlier slot request. CAAB stated that the cancellation notice will be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further processing.

Why was the schedule cancelled?

Authorities noted that procedural steps between the operator and relevant government agencies are still underway. Details on a revised travel plan, or whether a new aircraft application will be submitted, are expected once these processes are completed.

FAI Aviation Group had previously been cleared to land at 8:20 am on 9 December and to depart around 9 pm the same day, based on an initial request filed on 7 December.

What aircraft was arranged?

The Qatar government had arranged the medical evacuation aircraft after selecting a replacement jet suitable for long-distance medical transport. FAI designated a Bombardier Challenger 604 (CL60) for the mission, a model commonly used for intercontinental critical-care transfers due to its long range, reliability and advanced on-board medical configuration.

Medical advice on Khaleda Zia’s travel

Doctors had earlier advised caution regarding Khaleda Zia’s immediate travel abroad, citing medical considerations that may affect long-distance movement. Officials have not indicated when a new evacuation schedule might be finalised.

The plan to transfer Khaleda Zia abroad for medical treatment encountered another delay after the operator of the designated air ambulance sought to cancel its authorised arrival slot. According to CAAB sources, FAI Aviation Group submitted a cancellation request through its local representative, reversing its earlier application that had secured approval for landing and take-off at HSIA on 9 December.

CAAB stated that the matter will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which handles diplomatic and procedural clearances related to international air ambulance operations.

The operator had originally scheduled the Bombardier Challenger 604—chartered by the Qatar government for the evacuation—to land on Sunday morning and depart later that night. The aircraft model is frequently deployed for complex medical evacuations requiring advanced in-flight stabilisation and long-range capability.

Officials familiar with the process said that the cancellation indicates the operator may require additional documentation or coordination before rescheduling the flight. It remains unclear when a new application will be submitted.

Khaleda Zia’s medical team has maintained that her condition requires advanced treatment not currently available in Bangladesh. However, recent medical advice suggested that immediate long-distance travel may not be ideal, adding further complexity to the evacuation efforts.

Authorities are expected to provide clarity on the next steps once discussions between the operator, government agencies and medical teams progress.