Bangladesh’s Middle East-bound air ticket market is again facing allegations of syndicate activity as ministry directives on booking transparency and ticket disclosure are reportedly not being enforced. The report, published on August 15, 2026, says tickets often omit travel agency names, licence numbers and actual prices, while magistrate-led monitoring at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has largely stopped.

A February 11, 2025 circular required bookings to include passengers’ names and passport numbers, and required Middle East group bookings to be confirmed with names within 72 hours. Investigators had found allegations that tickets were blocked indefinitely through unnamed group bookings and later sold at high prices through unauthorised agents. A government investigation reportedly found evidence of misconduct involving 11 international airlines, their GSAs and 30 travel agencies.

The report says the task force created to protect passengers is not visibly active, despite government promises of zero tolerance. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afrosa Khanam Rita said fares are set through dynamic pricing based on demand, time, season, seat availability and market conditions. She said ticket prices, agency names and licence numbers must be displayed, and agencies involved in abnormal charges or syndicates could face strict action, including cancellation of registration.