The planned medical evacuation of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has been postponed once more, after the air ambulance contracted for her transfer requested cancellation of its Tuesday landing slot in Dhaka.
The Germany-based FAI Aviation Group, operator of the mission, formally withdrew its previously approved slot on Monday. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) had cleared the flight over the weekend following an application filed through a coordinating agency.
“No revised request has been filed so far,” a senior airport official said, noting that the withdrawal effectively pauses preparations for the medical evacuation.
Fifth Delay as Medical Condition Remains Key Variable
This marks the fifth postponement of Khaleda Zia’s planned travel. Her medical board has repeatedly stressed that any decision on departure must align with her condition, which they continue to monitor at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital, where she has been admitted since Nov 23.
The 79-year-old former premier is battling a series of long-term and acute health complications, including arthritis, diabetes, and critical issues related to her kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, and eyes.
Qatar-Arranged Mission Faces Operational Revisions
The BNP initially announced that Khaleda would travel on Dec 5 aboard a special air ambulance dispatched by the Emir of Qatar. That flight was subsequently delayed due to what party officials described as “technical issues”. A replacement aircraft, sourced from Germany, was then introduced into the evacuation plan, though no fresh arrival timeframe has been publicly indicated.
On Dec 6, the medical board concluded that Khaleda was not yet fit for long-duration international travel, adding another procedural hurdle to the mission.
About the Aircraft
The air ambulance arranged through the Qatari Embassy is a Bombardier Challenger CL-60 series jet operated by FAI Aviation Group. Delivered in 2018, it features a full suite of critical care equipment—ventilators, monitoring systems, infusion pumps, and emergency medical supplies—supported by a specialised team of airborne physicians, nurses, and paramedics.
FAI previously provided long-range medical transport for Khaleda during her treatment trip to London in January, arranged through the Qatari Emir’s personal fleet.
Next Steps
Aviation officials say the process may resume once the operator submits a revised landing request and the medical board updates its assessment. Until then, Khaleda Zia’s transfer timeline remains indeterminate, shaped by a combination of medical readiness, intergovernmental coordination, and operational clearance.
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