Biman, Bangladesh Airlines resumed its full-blown domestic operation after three years with its newly-procured Dash8 Q400s aircraft on Dhaka-Sylhet -Dhaka route.
The Finance Minister opened the two aircraft through a colourful function at Sylhet Osmani International Airport Monday.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Adul Muhith,Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon.Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali and State Minister for Finance Ministry M A Mannan .Whip Salim uddin .Mahmudus samad chowdhury Mp were on board with Menon in the inaugural Dhaka-Sylhet-Dhaka flight.
Dignitaries in Sylhet district received the inaugural flight in a festive mood where the minister cut the ribbon marking the occasion.
Finance Minister said the present government is committed to turn Biman into a profitable entity. The national flag carrier is in the profit for last seven months, he added.
The minister expressed hope that the resumption of Dhaka-Sylhet-Dhaka flight will give a boost to business of the country’s most exciting tourist spot.
competition from other operators in the sector and so it should ensure good services to the passengers.
On the demand for reducing the ticket fare of Biman, the Minister assured that ministry will reduce the airfare phase by phase.
Earlier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement with Smart Aviation of Egypt for leasing two Dash8 Q400s for a period of five years. Manufactured by Bombardier of Canada, Dash8 Q400 has 74-seat in a single class.
The operation will add up to 25 additional frequencies per week on Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Sylhet routes. The total number of seats will increase by almost 80 percent weekly to a considerable 14,010, the sources said.
Under the programme, Biman will operate more than 120 flights per week within the country which will oversee a huge growth in domestic operations by the flag-carrier after a long recession, they added.
Due to shortage of planes, Biman suspended operations on four of the seven domestic routes in 2007. The last route Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar was shut down in June 2012. After that the airlines carried passengers to and from Sylhet and Chittagong by its international flights.