Biman passengers endure 40-hour delay in Rome after Boeing 787 technical fault

Hundreds of Biman Bangladesh Airlines passengers faced an ordeal lasting almost 40 hours at Rome Fiumicino Airport after their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (registered S2-AJY) made an emergency landing following a technical problem.

Flight BG306, carrying 259 passengers from Toronto to Dhaka, departed Toronto Pearson on Thursday evening and arrived in Rome after about 8 hours in the air at 07:20 local time on Friday.

Passengers alleged they initially spent about 8 hours aboard the aircraft, during which the air conditioning was reportedly not functioning properly. After eventually entering the terminal, at least 174 passengers were unable to obtain hotel accommodation and had to remain inside the airport.

Biman said it was prepared to provide hotels but that Italian immigration authorities would not allow around 170 passengers who lacked the necessary visas to leave the airport. Passengers holding Canadian or US passports were reportedly able to clear immigration and stay in hotels.

The lengthy disruption proved particularly difficult for elderly passengers and families with young children, with reports of problems accessing medication, baby food and other essentials.

Meanwhile, attempts to repair the Boeing 787-9 continued. Local engineers and technicians travelling with the aircraft were initially unable to resolve the problem, prompting Biman to send spare parts and two additional engineers from Dhaka.

Repairs were completed on Saturday night, and the aircraft was declared airworthy. Flight BG306 subsequently departed Rome at around 23:00 local time and arrived at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:30 on Sunday (39 hours behind schedule), ending the passengers’ prolonged journey.

Biman has not disclosed the precise nature of the technical fault that caused the diversion.