Expatriates warned of possible remittance strike and Biman boycott if Sylhet-Manchester direct flights are not maintained.

On Wednesday, UK NRB Society and UK Bangladeshi Heritage Forum staged a ‘March for Biman’ in Sylhet demanding continuation of direct flights between Sylhet and Manchester, threatening a remittance strike if the route closes.

Demonstration began from Central Shaheed Minar in Chowhatta area and concluded nearly one and a half kilometers later at Biman Bangladesh Airlines office in Majumdari area. UK NRB Society and UK Bangladeshi Heritage Councilor Forum organized the event.

Participants submitted a memorandum questioning how a route generating 83% business for the airline could be considered loss-making. Memorandum stated that between June and December 2025, around 38 thousand passengers travelled on the route against a total seat capacity of 45 thousand.

“While most passengers normally buy tickets priced at GBP 700-800 (nearly TK 1 lakh 18 thousand to TK 1 lakh 35 thousand), they are often forced to pay between GBP 1,200-1,500 (nearly TK 2 lakh 3 thousand to TK 2 lakh 53 thousand)” the memorandum alleged. It claimed an unethical group within Biman siphons off extra money and deliberately shows the route as loss-making.

Rezual Hasan Qayes Lodi, Acting President of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP, told media that expatriates are remittance warriors whose hard work enriches Bangladesh's economy.

“If BNP comes to power, we will work collectively to fulfil the rightful demands of expatriates,” he told media.

He urged the interim government to reconsider the decision, stating that closing the route would cause serious travel difficulties for UK-based Bangladeshis. British expatriates and representatives from various professions in Sylhet participated in the march.

UK NRB Society Director Mizanur Rahman moderated the rally. Speakers included UK NRB Society Director M Ahmad Juned, Oldham BNP founder president Jamal Uddin, and UK community leaders Bulbul Amin, Badrul Alam and Dabir Mallik.