An air ambulance is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday, 9 December, at 8:20 am, to transfer ailing former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London for advanced medical treatment.
The air ambulance has been granted landing permission at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA). The flight is scheduled to depart Dhaka around 9 pm on the same day. Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) confirmed the schedule, but noted it remains subject to change based on the assessment and preparedness of Khaleda Zia's medical team.
The air ambulance, a Bombardier Challenger 604 (CL60) business jet, has been arranged by the Qatar government. The aircraft is being rented from the Germany-based FAI Aviation Group and is suitable for long-distance medical evacuation due to its extended range and advanced medical configuration.
The transfer was initially expected to occur on 5 December but was delayed due to the late arrival of the air ambulance. Khaleda Zia is currently receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she was admitted on 23 November.
She has long suffered from multiple chronic ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
The transfer is for continued treatment in London. She last traveled to London on 8 January of this year, where she received care for 17 days at the London Clinic before staying at her son Tarique's residence until her return to Dhaka on 6 May.
