Khaleda sets out to fly for London

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia started for the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday evening before flying for London for advanced medical treatment by a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.
"Madam (Khaleda) left her Gulshan residence at 8:15 pm," said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell, reports UNB.
The BNP chief was travelling to the airport via the Gulshan-2 intersection and the Banani-Kakoli crossing, he said.
Thousands of leaders and activists of the party flocked to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to see her off.
Sayrul said Khaleda Zia was accompanied by her entourage, which includes six doctors from her medical team.
Thousands of BNP leaders and activists, along with members of its affiliated bodies, gathered along the footpaths stretching from Gulshan-2, Kakoli, and Airport Road to bid farewell to the former Prime Minister.
Earlier, the BNP issued special instructions to its leaders and activists to avoid causing any public inconvenience while bidding farewell to their beloved leader.
To ensure security during Khaleda's departure, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) took special measures, including deployment of an adequate number of law enforcement personnel from the Airport Armed Police, RAB, DMP, DB and SWAT teams.
A special air ambulance dispatched by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, landed on the VIP tarmac at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:40pm on Monday to transport BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London.
The Qatar Royal Family's Airbus A319 air ambulance, designed for long-distance medical evacuations, is equipped with advanced medical facilities, making it a "flying ICU." It includes ventilators, defibrillators, infusion pumps and cardiac monitors, ensuring continuous care during transit.
The aircraft features a spacious and customisable interior, with areas for stretchers, patient zones and seating for family or specialists.
Onboard, a team of four physicians and paramedics is ready to handle emergencies.
Besides, the A319's advanced climate control, soundproofing, and pressurised cabin ensure both patient comfort and safety, while real-time communication with ground experts enables the onboard medical team to provide continuous care.
With its enhanced fuel capacity and ability to land on shorter runways, the A319 is perfectly suited for long-haul medical flights.