Biman Bangladesh Airlines has reintroduced a special “worker’ fare” for newly recruited migrant workers after nearly two decades, aiming to curb high airfare costs. The new fare, effective from Monday until June 30, applies to routes between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, as well as Malaysia. Under the new pricing, base fares (excluding taxes) are set at $360 for Dhaka-Jeddah, Dhaka-Medina, and Dhaka-Riyadh routes, and $150 for Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur. This move follows demands from migrant workers, travel agents, and recruiting agencies, who have long called for lower travel costs to support remittance earners. The last time such a discounted fare was available was in 2005 stated in a report.
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The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has directed all airlines operating in Bangladesh to implement similar “workers’ fares” within the next week. The directive, issued through a circular, mandates airlines and travel agencies to arrange special airfares for outbound workers with valid work visas. Additionally, new regulations require travel agencies to register under the Bangladesh Travel Agency Act, prohibit price manipulation, and ensure transparency in ticket pricing. Airlines must now report group ticket sales, publish pricing information online, and automatically cancel unconfirmed reservations after a set period. Violators may face penalties, including suspension or revocation of their licenses.
This initiative comes amid soaring airfare costs for migrant workers, with recent price fluctuations causing significant financial strain. The Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) noted that regular fares for Saudi Arabia-bound flights range from $430 to $480, while Kuala Lumpur flights cost $360. With the introduction of the T-class workers’ fare, migrants can save up to Tk10,000 per ticket. However, ATAB has urged Biman to increase the number of discounted seats based on demand. The government and aviation authorities continue to monitor and regulate ticket pricing to prevent exploitation and ensure affordability for migrant workers.
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