B'desh airlines can now operate 31 weekly flights to UK
Saturday, 9 January 2010
FE Report
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has signed an air service agreement with the British Civil Aviation Department (BCAD) that enables Bangladeshi passenger carriers to operate 31 weekly flights to the United Kingdom.
Earlier, Bangladeshi carriers had permission to operate only 10 flights per week to the European country.
Under the agreement, state-owned Biman also gained permanent flight permission for three weekly flights to Dhaka-New York via Manchester. Biman earlier obtained temporary route permission on this route.
The deal was the outcome of a two-day air service agreement evaluation meeting that started last Wednesday between the CAAB and the BCAD.
According to the agreement, Bangladeshi airlines will be able to operate 17 flights per week to London and 14 weekly flights to other destinations in the UK.
Besides, the 'Fifth Freedom Traffic Right' for Bangladeshi airlines in the points of Gulf region including Middle East has been increased from 05 to 10 in the agreement. This permission would enable Bangladeshi public and private operators to operate more flights to UK via Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and UAE.
"This is an achievement on our part which would help our operators to expand business and frequencies in European destinations," Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Shafiq Alam Mehdi said.
With immediate effect, the agreement has also included Sylhet in the route schedule of the air service agreement, enabling direct air link between Sylhet and London, the secretary said.
He was addressing a press briefing Thursday at the Zia International Airport announcing the meeting outcome.
He said direct Sylhet-London air link would ensure smooth travel of non-resident Bangladeshis who are living in UK.
Besides Biman Bangladesh Airlines, private passenger carrier 'United Airways BD Limited' operates flights to London, the city known as the second home for millions of Bangladeshi expatriates.
GMG Airlines, the country's other passenger carrier in private sector, is also planning to initiate Dhaka-London flights soon, Shafiq added.
"Among 31 flight frequencies per week to UK, 17 would be given to Biman while United Airways and GMG would be allotted five each," he added.
CAAB Chairman Air Commodore Sakeb Khan Majlis is heading the Bangladeshi delegations while the British delegation is being led by head, Aviation Negotiator (CIS) of British International Aviation and Safety Division Simon Knight.
"The new agreement is British authority's recognition of our improved airport security and civil aviation service monitoring by CAAB," Sakeb Khan said.
He also warned private operators of strict measures if found any laps in maintaining flight safety.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has signed an air service agreement with the British Civil Aviation Department (BCAD) that enables Bangladeshi passenger carriers to operate 31 weekly flights to the United Kingdom.
Earlier, Bangladeshi carriers had permission to operate only 10 flights per week to the European country.
Under the agreement, state-owned Biman also gained permanent flight permission for three weekly flights to Dhaka-New York via Manchester. Biman earlier obtained temporary route permission on this route.
The deal was the outcome of a two-day air service agreement evaluation meeting that started last Wednesday between the CAAB and the BCAD.
According to the agreement, Bangladeshi airlines will be able to operate 17 flights per week to London and 14 weekly flights to other destinations in the UK.
Besides, the 'Fifth Freedom Traffic Right' for Bangladeshi airlines in the points of Gulf region including Middle East has been increased from 05 to 10 in the agreement. This permission would enable Bangladeshi public and private operators to operate more flights to UK via Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and UAE.
"This is an achievement on our part which would help our operators to expand business and frequencies in European destinations," Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Shafiq Alam Mehdi said.
With immediate effect, the agreement has also included Sylhet in the route schedule of the air service agreement, enabling direct air link between Sylhet and London, the secretary said.
He was addressing a press briefing Thursday at the Zia International Airport announcing the meeting outcome.
He said direct Sylhet-London air link would ensure smooth travel of non-resident Bangladeshis who are living in UK.
Besides Biman Bangladesh Airlines, private passenger carrier 'United Airways BD Limited' operates flights to London, the city known as the second home for millions of Bangladeshi expatriates.
GMG Airlines, the country's other passenger carrier in private sector, is also planning to initiate Dhaka-London flights soon, Shafiq added.
"Among 31 flight frequencies per week to UK, 17 would be given to Biman while United Airways and GMG would be allotted five each," he added.
CAAB Chairman Air Commodore Sakeb Khan Majlis is heading the Bangladeshi delegations while the British delegation is being led by head, Aviation Negotiator (CIS) of British International Aviation and Safety Division Simon Knight.
"The new agreement is British authority's recognition of our improved airport security and civil aviation service monitoring by CAAB," Sakeb Khan said.
He also warned private operators of strict measures if found any laps in maintaining flight safety.