Passengers on Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Biman) held pilots and cabin crew hostage for several hours after adverse weather forced Abu Dhabi to Sylhet flight to divert to Dhaka on March 14 this year.

BG-228 flight was unable to land in Sylhet due to hostile weather conditions and diverted to Dhaka. When airline arranged alternative domestic flight to transport passengers to Sylhet, some passengers became violent and created chaos inside aircraft.

Captain Enam Talukder commanded the flight with First Officer Kader and another first officer. Chief Purser Hafsa Ahmed Shilpi led cabin crew team. Flight Purser Fahim and 8 to 9 total crew members were affected by the incident.

Cabin crew member, speaking anonymously, said passengers became agitated after diversion. "We were effectively held hostage inside aircraft for several hours. We received no effective assistance from airline authorities for extended period. Situation went so out of control that we feared for our own safety," the crew member said.

Passengers shouted obscenities at crew, snatched mobile phones and threatened to block pilots in cockpit. When aircraft was brought to boarding bridge, several passengers screamed, “Don’t let pilot out, trap him first. We won't let anyone leave.”

Passenger Sabbir Hasan defended actions, claiming airline tried forcing them off aircraft for sehri meal.

“We absolutely refused. Nobody could force us. We sat inside plane ourselves and shouted that we would go to Sylhet on this aircraft. Under no circumstances could we be forced down”, he said.

After several hours, airline loaded new Dhaka to Sylhet passengers onto same aircraft and flew diverted passengers to Sylhet.

Bosra Islam, Biman's General Manager for Public Relations, stated passengers refused to understand adverse weather situation. “Our captain and crew explained with utmost professionalism. They wanted to go to Sylhet on same aircraft. This flight was scheduled Sylhet to London. Later Biman picked up Sylhet passengers and sent them to Sylhet on same aircraft”, she said.

Aviation sources confirmed flight diversions during adverse weather are standard international aviation practice. Passenger cooperation is essential for safe, quick resolution in such situations.