Flight Expert website shuts down suddenly

'Flight Expert,' the online ticketing agency (OTA), has unexpectedly halted its operations. The website has been taken offline without any prior notice.

Panic has gripped thousands of customers who booked flights, tours, visas, and Hajj packages through the platform, many of whom are now unable to access their tickets or receive refunds.

Since Sunday afternoon, dozens of customers gathered at Motijheel Police Station to file general diaries and demand an immediate investigation.

Mejbah Uddin, Officer-in-Charge of Motijheel Police Station, confirmed the rising unrest saying that numerous individuals came forward alleging that the managing director and senior officials of Flight Expert have fled.

“A police team has been sent to the company’s office to conduct an investigation. According to preliminary information from remaining staff, the managing director has not been seen at the office for some time. The website is down, and operations seem to have ceased. The full situation is still unclear—we are in the process of gathering evidence and statements,” he said.

The Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) leaders have said that many of their members have been contacting them and sharing that the owners of Flight Expert have fled the country.

“Many of our members have been complaining that Flight Expert owners have left the country. Travel agents deposited a good amount of money to them for air tickets and other related services. If they really have cheated, this would be a big scam,” ATAB President Abdus Salam Aref said.

He said they repeatedly requested the government to form a guideline for online travel agency business. After arranging a press conference in last October, they submitted a memorandum to the ministry as well.

“Earlier online travel agencies like Laltrip, Let’s Fly and Ticket24.com vanished deceiving their customers. That’s why we asked the government to introduce regulations in the business but no one paid heed to us. Had the government listened to us, we wouldn't see this day,” the ATAB president added.

Flight Expert reportedly owes customers, B2B agents, and several banks across the country crores of taka. The company also owes substantial sums to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for services and benefits—funds that are now tied up due to alleged embezzlement by the platform’s management.

Earlier on Saturday night, CEO of Flight Expert Salman Bin Rashid Shah Sayeem sent a message to a private Whatsapp group. Views Bangladesh availed the screenshot of the text. CEO wrote: "Dear Flight Expert Team, I need to share something important with you all. A betrayal has taken place--Saeed, Hossen, and Sakyb were behind it. They planned everything carefully, and during last Thursday's meeting , they placed all the blame on me. It was coordinated and I wasn't given a chance to defend myself. This morning they withdrew 3 crore taka or less and kept it for themselves. The company is now shut down. Due to the overwhelming threats and blame directed at me, I took leave to save. I'm truly sorry it came to this, my intention was never to walk away like this."

Launched in March 2017, Flight Expert rapidly gained popularity for its user-friendly platform, competitive prices, and attractive discounts on domestic and international flights, hotel bookings, tour packages, and visa services.

With convenient payment options such as instalment plans and mobile financial services, it attracted a large customer base—especially budget-conscious travellers and middle-class families.

For years, the company was among Bangladesh’s top digital travel agencies, supported by aggressive social media campaigns and seasonal promotions.

However, recent months saw ominous signs, including delayed ticket confirmations, unresponsive customer support, and unsuccessful refund attempts.