A Biman Bangladesh Airlines BG-306 flight from Toronto to Dhaka made an emergency landing at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport after developing a mechanical fault, leaving more than 200 passengers facing disruption. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner departed Toronto Pearson International Airport at 5:18 pm local time on Thursday with more than 250 passengers. The fault emerged about eight hours into the journey, and the aircraft landed in Rome at 7:19 am on Friday.

Passengers said they waited for about eight hours inside the aircraft after being told of the mechanical problem. Senior Lecturer Md Abu Sayeed said elderly, child and ill passengers became unwell. Passengers alleged that Canadian and US passport holders were provided accommodation, while about 170 Bangladeshi passport holders could not leave the airport for hotels and were kept in the Prima Vista lounge. They also reported inadequate facilities there.

Biman said the assigned aircraft, S2-AJY, for BG-306 and BG-307 remains grounded. A two-member engineering team and required spare parts left Dhaka for Rome on BG-305 at 1:53 am Saturday. If repairs are completed on schedule, the grounded aircraft is planned to depart Rome for Dhaka at 10 pm local time Saturday, with passengers to receive regular updates.