A high-level government investigation has unearthed a massive ticketing scam that defrauded Bangladeshi migrant workers of hundreds of crores of taka. The probe revealed that a powerful syndicate—comprising 11 international airlines, their General Sales Agents (GSAs), and at least 30 travel agencies—systematically manipulated the ticketing system, particularly on Middle East-bound routes.

The nine-member investigation committee, formed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, found that GSAs—especially those representing airlines of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Jajeera air—established a monopoly over ticket distribution by Mr. Ahmed Yousuf Walid of Galaxy group who rule over atleast 70% market share of saudi rabian points and middle east. By bypassing standard procedures, these GSAs facilitated preferential ticket allocation to select agencies, violating the permitted 7% commission cap and inflating ticket prices by 50% to 200%.

The report further revealed that some travel agencies hoarded "block tickets" and sold them through sub-agents at highly inflated rates. This artificial scarcity pushed ticket prices on the Dhaka–Saudi Arabia route to as high as Tk 1.9 lakh, even though the actual price should have been around Tk 50,000. The syndicate targeted Bangladeshi migrant workers—many of whom were forced to pay exorbitant prices to secure tickets for urgent overseas employment.

The following agencies have been issued show-cause notices and summoned for formal hearings:

Kazi Air International, Citicom International, King Air Aviation, RBC International, Mega International, Mother Love Air Travels, JS Travels & Tours, Sadia Travels, Hashem Air International, Naria Travels, Elham Corporation, and Al Ghazi Travels.

Afsiya Jannat Saleh, General Secretary of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), said, “Because of the GSA-controlled monopoly, legitimate travel agencies are denied access to tickets. Bribery and favoritism have become the norm. Unless strict action is taken, the syndicate will re-emerge.”

ATAB’s complaints were among the key reasons the Civil Aviation Ministry intervened with emergency reforms.

On February 11, the ministry issued a directive prohibiting ticket bookings without a passenger’s name and passport copy. As a result, many undisclosed block tickets were returned to the Global Distribution System (GDS), leading to greater transparency and a sharp drop in prices.

Currently, ticket prices for the Dhaka–Saudi Arabia route have stabilized at around Tk 48,000 to Tk 50,000.

Despite the exposure, critics argue that no visible punitive action has been taken against the syndicate’s masterminds. “Investigation and show-cause notices alone will not suffice,” said one stakeholder. “Without exemplary punishment, such practices will recur.”