Bangladesh Former PM Khaleda Zia's Medical Evacuation to UK Postponed for Third Time Due to Air Ambulance Issues

Khaleda Zia has been receiving medical care at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23.

Dhaka:

The planned medical evacuation of Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia to London experienced another delay on Monday when the German air ambulance scheduled for her transport requested cancellation of its previously approved Tuesday landing slot in Dhaka, according to officials.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) had previously granted clearance on Sunday for the Qatar government-arranged aircraft to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday following a formal request.

However, Germany-based FAI Aviation Group, the operator, submitted a request on Monday to withdraw the landing slot, as reported by bdnews24.com, citing a senior airport official.

"No revised application has been received so far," the official stated.

CAAB sources confirmed that FAI Aviation Group formally contacted authorities through a coordinating agency to cancel their earlier slot request, according to tbsnews.net.

The aviation authority had previously approved the aircraft to land at 8:00 am on Tuesday and depart around 9:00 pm the same day, based on the operator's initial Sunday request.

The Qatar government had arranged this aircraft, leased from FAI Aviation Group, after deciding to use a replacement air ambulance for the long-range medical evacuation.

The replacement air ambulance, a Bombardier Challenger (CL-60 series) jet, is equipped with comprehensive critical-care facilities, including ventilators, monitors, infusion pumps and oxygen systems. It is staffed by medical professionals including doctors, nurses, and paramedics specialized in in-flight intensive care.

This marks the third postponement of the 80-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson's planned journey to London for advanced medical treatment.

Zia has been undergoing treatment at Dhaka's Evercare Hospital since November 23 for various health complications.

Her personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain had announced last Thursday that Zia's medical board decided to send her to the UK for specialized treatment.

He had informed reporters that she would be transported to London, where her elder son and acting BNP chief Tarique Rahman resides, via the Qatar Royal Air Ambulance late Thursday night or early Friday.

However, the air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar experienced "technical issues," delaying her departure until Sunday.

On Saturday, Hossain, who also serves on BNP's policy-making standing committee, informed reporters that the medical board postponed Zia's planned London trip indefinitely as her condition remained too unstable for long-distance travel.

Khaleda Zia previously traveled to London for medical treatment in January using an air ambulance from the Emir of Qatar's personal fleet.