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The skyline of North England is currently heavy with more than just winter clouds; a storm of indignation is brewing among the nearly 400,000-strong Bangladeshi diaspora. For the second time in a year, the community has been forced into a corner, launching a desperate campaign to protect the Manchester-Sylhet direct flight—a route widely considered the most profitable and vital lifeline for British Bangladeshis outside of London, Daily Dazzling Dawn realized.
Official Stance and the Silent Shutdown-The current crisis was triggered by the sudden and unannounced "blocking" of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines ticketing system for this specific route starting February 2026. While Biman’s central management has historically cited "operational constraints" and "aircraft shortages" as the official justification for such suspensions, the timing of this move has raised significant eyebrows. Officially, Biman Bangladesh Airlines maintains that they are in a phase of fleet restructuring, having recently made a policy decision to acquire 14 new aircraft to bolster international operations following a reported profit of 785 crore BDT in the 2024-25 fiscal year. However, the airline has yet to provide a transparent technical reason as to why a profit-making route is being throttled while loss-making destinations like Rome and Narita continue to receive state subsidies.
Community Leaders Take the Frontline-This is no longer a mere consumer grievance; it has evolved into a high-stakes political movement. Led by Councillor Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and former Mayor, the movement has seen unprecedented unity among elected officials of Bangladeshi descent. On December 29, a powerful delegation including Mayor Moazzem Hussain of Warrington and Mayor Shibley Alam of Tameside converged on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Manchester. They delivered a formal memorandum addressed to the highest levels of the Bangladesh government, demanding an immediate reversal of the ticketing block. These leaders represent a constituency that spans Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Yorkshire, Birmingham, and Scotland—all of whom rely on Manchester as their primary gateway to Bangladesh.
Financial Facts Versus Corporate Friction-A Dazzling Dawn investigation reveals a startling discrepancy between Biman’s actions and its balance sheets. Despite initial losses during the post-pandemic recovery—83 crore BDT in 2020-21 and 40 crore BDT in 2021-22—the Manchester-Sylhet route achieved a spectacular turnaround. By August 2025, the route contributed approximately 1 crore BDT in profit to the national treasury in a single month. While 14 of Biman’s 21 international routes continue to drain resources, the Manchester flight has consistently moved toward a "break-even" point and beyond. The suspension threatens to strand nearly 5,000 passengers who have already traveled to Bangladesh on return tickets for February and March, creating a looming logistical nightmare.
Allegations of Sabotage and Vested Interests-Deep-rooted concerns within the North West England community suggest that the flight’s suspension is not a result of poor performance but of "internal sabotage." Local leaders and travel industry insiders allege that a syndicate of influential travel magnates, in collusion with a segment of dishonest Biman officials, is working to dismantle the direct route to funnel passengers through more expensive, indirect channels. Councillor Abdul Jabbar expressed frustration over the lack of a constructive response from Dhaka, prompting the launch of the "Save Manchester-Sylhet Route" public relations campaign. This initiative aims to expose how the closure of this route damages the national economy, as overseas visitors typically spend four times the value of their ticket on domestic tourism, healthcare, and retail during their stay.
Political Timing and the National Interest-The suspension comes at a politically sensitive juncture, with the Bangladesh National Elections scheduled for February 12, 2026. Many of the passengers affected are residents of the Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sunamganj regions—areas where the diaspora holds significant influence. With prominent political figures from the UK diaspora contesting seats in the upcoming election, the sudden decision to halt flights on February 1 is being scrutinized as a potential move to limit the mobility of the community. As the "Save Manchester-Sylhet Route" movement gains momentum, the demand is clear: the government must prioritize national profit and community dignity over the interests of a few vested groups.
