Bangladesh’s national carrier Biman air crew allegedly had refused to work on a flight aimed at repatriating citizens from coronavirus-hit Chinese cities.
The move, according to reports, had forced the government to abandon the evacuation plan.
The South Asian nation last week evacuated 312 people, mostly students, from the epicentre of the deadly outbreak, and had planned a second flight for another 171 Bangladeshis.
However, Bangladesh foreign minister A K Abdul Momen informed that ‘no crew wants to go there’.
The outbreak, which has killed more than 800 people and infected tens of thousands across China, has spread to nearly more than two dozen other countries and sparked global concern.
However, there have been no cases recorded in Bangladesh.
The evacuees and aircrew who returned to Dhaka on February 1 last are being quarantined for 14 days at a camp usually used for Haj pilgrims.
Health officials say none have tested positive for the virus.
The minister said the government was trying to charter a Chinese flight instead, but so far without success.