Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s return flight from Tokyo to Dhaka was delayed on Thursday after a Biman Bangladesh Airlines aircraft developed a technical problem shortly before takeoff from Narita International Airport in Japan.

The aircraft left the terminal around 6:18pm local time and taxied towards the runway but stopped before takeoff.

After around 15 minutes, the pilot, Imamul, informed passengers that the flight could not proceed due to a technical issue. He said two engineers were working to resolve the problem and that the flight would resume once the issue was fixed.

The aircraft was later taken back to the tarmac.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and other members of his entourage were on board, according to the United News of Bangladesh (UNB).

Boshra Islam, general manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ public relations department, confirmed the incident to Daily Waadaa.

“Our engineers are working to resolve the technical glitch. We will give an update on the matter shortly,” she said.

The prime minister was scheduled to leave Tokyo at 6pm local time on Thursday, concluding his four-day visit to Japan. The flight was originally scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 10:35pm Bangladesh time.

Tarique arrived in Japan on October 26 at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.