Since Sheikh Hasina's departure, Bangladesh-India air travel has plummeted dramatically, with airlines grappling with new restrictions.

In the wake of her removal, India promptly suspended visa services for Bangladeshi travelers, further complicating the situation.

This suspension, coupled with widespread unrest, has severely disrupted the aviation sector. Although India has recently reinstated limited visa services, the number issued remains significantly reduced, leading to a sharp decline in passenger numbers and substantial financial losses for airlines.

"We are encountering unprecedented challenges," said Bosra Islam, General Manager of Public Relations at Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

"In the past two weeks, we have seen such a significant drop in passenger traffic that we’ve had to reduce flights. We previously operated two daily flights to Kolkata; now, it’s just one. The same reductions apply to our routes to Delhi and Chennai."

Hasina's stronghold over Bangladesh allowed little dissent during her tenure, and her dramatic fall has revealed the fragility of the systems sustaining the country.

As political turmoil engulfs the nation, the travel industry is acutely affected, with both Bangladeshi and Indian airlines forced to significantly cut back operations due to the reduced number of passengers.

Novoair, a private Bangladeshi airline, is among the hardest hit by the recent downturn.

Previously operating seven flights per week between Dhaka and Kolkata, Novoair has now reduced its service to just three flights weekly and plans to completely suspend the route starting September 16.

This drastic measure is due to a sharp decline in passengers, caused by ongoing visa restrictions and concerns about potential harassment or detention at airports for those who do obtain visas.

“We’ve seen occupancy rates drop to less than half on our Kolkata flights,” explained Mesbaul Islam, Novoair’s Head of Marketing and Sales. “With visa issues, travel is simply not possible. We had no option but to suspend our services.”

The financial impact on airlines has been severe. Despite ticket prices for the Dhaka-Kolkata route ranging from 12,000 to 18,000 BDT (approximately $110-$165 USD), airlines are struggling to cover costs.

US-Bangla Airlines, which once operated 21 flights weekly to Kolkata, has cut back to just six. Similarly, their Dhaka-Chennai flights have been reduced from 11 to five per week.

India's resumption of visa services has been limited and selective, primarily available for those applying for medical or educational visas. This partial reopening has left tourists and business travelers stranded, exacerbating the economic impact.

Abdul Mottalib, a digital marketing officer at Airways, a travel agency that sells tickets for Vistara Airlines, expressed the frustration: “How can people travel if they can’t obtain visas?”

At Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport, the atmosphere is now filled with fear and anxiety. Immigration officials have reported increased security measures as former ruling party elites, many facing corruption charges, attempt to leave the country.

This heightened scrutiny has intensified fears among passengers, leading many to avoid traveling to India altogether.

“There is a noticeable sense of fear among passengers,” an immigration officer shared anonymously. “With the political situation so unstable, people are particularly wary of traveling, especially to India.”

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