The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has issued fresh directives concerning group air ticket bookings, mandating that all bookings must be completed with the traveller’s name, passport number, and a photocopy of the passport.
Failure to issue tickets in the passenger’s name within three days of booking will result in automatic cancellation by the respective airline.
This directive, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Rumana Yasmin, was circulated on Tuesday (11 February), outlining updated fare structures and operational guidelines for airlines and travel agencies.
The circular, issued from the CA-2 branch of the ministry, instructs airlines to ensure passengers are transported to their destinations at actual fare rates. It also prohibits ticket sales through unregistered travel agencies.
In an effort to support migrant workers, particularly those travelling to the Middle East and Malaysia on work visas, airlines operating in Bangladesh and associated travel agencies have been directed to introduce special fare arrangements.
Furthermore, all airlines, including Biman Bangladesh Airlines, along with the Board of Airlines Representatives (BAR), are required to implement measures within seven days to reduce ticket prices for expatriate workers.
For tickets already blocked under group bookings, airlines and travel agencies must confirm sales within seven days, accompanied by the passenger’s name, passport number, and a passport copy.
Failure to comply will result in automatic cancellation within the subsequent three days.
Additionally, the actual sale price of group tickets must be reported to the ministry immediately, with the information being published on the ministry’s website for public access.
The circular further stipulates that all air tickets must be sold online, with the ticket price clearly displayed both online and on the ticket itself.
Airlines and travel agencies are required to comply with the "tariff filing" regulations under Rule 289 of the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984, and publish the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB)-approved tariffs on CAAB’s official website.
Airlines and travel agencies are strictly prohibited from selling tickets at prices exceeding the fares submitted to CAAB.
Moreover, travel agencies must provide passengers with price-inclusive tickets issued by the airline, along with official sales receipts.
The ministry has also warned that hoarding tickets beyond demand or stockpiling excess tickets to sell through other agents, leading to price increases, will result in the suspension or cancellation of the travel agency's registration certificate, as per Rule 15 of the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Rules, 2022.
