Saudia flight with pilgrims aborts take-off
A flight of Saudi Arabian Airlines, carrying 313 hajj pilgrims, had to abort take off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday after smoke was seen from the plane's tail section.
The pilgrims and the crew members onboard were safely evacuated, Shakil Meraj, general manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, told The Daily Star.
An airport official noticed smoke emitting from the Boeing 777-200 as it was taxiing towards the runway around 11:10am for the flights scheduled take off time of 11:13am, sources said.
The official alerted the air traffic control (ATC) which contacted the pilots.
The pilots aborted the take off and shut down the engines on the runway. Airport fire engines were also dispatched.
The aircraft was towed to a hanger where it was inspected and repaired, sources said.
The plane left Dhaka for Jeddah around 1:45pm with the pilgrims.
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