The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the schedule of the air ambulance flight, which will carry BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London for treatment, designating it as a “VVIP” movement.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Executive Director Group Captain SM Ragib Samad confirmed the information on Saturday.

“The airport authorities have already granted clearance for the flight’s landing,” he said.

The air ambulance is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on 9 December and depart the next day, Ragib said.

“Considering it a VVIP movement, all security and operational arrangements have been made from the landing to the takeoff of the air ambulance," he added.

He said that as soon as the final confirmation of the required route and landing time is received, the relevant units will become fully operational.

Meanwhile, the former prime minister’s personal physician, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, said on Saturday afternoon that Khaleda Zia’s travel abroad for treatment depends entirely on her physical condition, which remains the top priority.

Khaleda, 80, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November following the advice of her medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs.

She has since also developed pneumonia and is currently being treated in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) under the close supervision of a combined team of local and foreign specialists.

The BNP chief has been suffering from a range of chronic health complications, including cardiovascular disease, liver and kidney disorders, diabetes, lung ailments, arthritis and various ophthalmic conditions. She has a permanent pacemaker and previously underwent stenting due to cardiac complications.