As part of route expansion of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Biman is going to start its flight operation on Dhaka- Manchester route from January 5 next. Civil Aviation Authority Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshall Muhammad Mafidur Rahman told The Bangladesh Post that, "We have taken full preparations to operate flights between Dhaka and Manchester. In the coming winter, as we are going to increase flight frequencies, besides Heathrow Airport, flights will also be operated to Manchester.
Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airline Mokabbir Hossain said three flights will start operating from January 1 on Dhaka-Manchester route. "Immediately after introducing flights to Manchester, we have plans to expand Biman's wing to Toronto via Manchester or Rome to Toronto. And finally, the much-awaited Dhaka-New York flight will gradually be introduced”.
Earlier on October 5, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mohibul Haque at a meeting with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert C. Dixon said, the Biman Bangladesh Airlines is now well equipped with modern aircrafts and it has become possible for the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Hopefully we will be able to be connected with Manchester by air within next year. Our airport is equipped with all the latest technologies in the world. The Prime Minister has already approved launching of flights to Manchester for the benefit of the expatriate Bangladeshis”, he added.
“All preparations for starting direct Dhaka-Manchester flights have already been completed. We will soon launch direct flights to some new routes to ensure Biman’s full potential,” he mentioned. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said, “Bangladesh will be given all kinds of assistance needed to establish direct air communication with Manchester.” “The flight operation would be launched on the Dhaka-Manchester-New York route soon”, he added.
Aviation experts said that, as India is restricted to use the Pakistani sky, Bangladesh can be benefitted from this. They can pull a good number of Indian passengers to Europe under such situation. However, they also stressed on drawing up proper planning to avail the chance.
To this regard, Biman’s deputy general manager (public relations) Tahera Khandaker told The Bangladesh Post that, “Usually we operate weekly four flights to the United Kingdom, but in the coming winter we will operate weekly seven flights. Three flights will be operated to Manchester”.