Best Air likely to launch flight on Dhaka-Dubai-Dhaka route Sept 8

Best Air, the country's third private airliner, is likely to start operating flights on its Dhaka-Dubai-Dhaka route on September 8, spreading its wings on international routes, reports UNB.brTito Siddique, a Best Air spokesperson, Saturday said the flights on the route will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with newly procured 162-seated MD-83 aircraft.brThe one-way ticket will cost US$ 285 while the return one is US$ 550, excluding taxes.brTito said the flight operation of the airline with Boeing-737 aircraft is likely to resume on September 8 as it fulfilled all the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).brEarlier on August 27, CAAB asked the Best Air authorities not to operate the Boeing-737 for technical problems in the aircraft and on charges of failing to ensure proper safety of passengers.brThe Boeing-737 aircraft of Best Air had various problems, including non-availability of safety equipment for passengers and technical problems in landing gear indicator, according to CAAB sources.brBest Air was operating its Boeing-737 on Dhaka-Colombo-Male route with only one life raft (inflatable rubber boat with lifesaving equipment), instead of three in violation of CAAB rules.brTo have adequate numbers of life rafts is a must to fly on long range over water operations as per the requirements under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and CAAB rules.brLong range over water operation is defined as flying to a distance of 100 nautical miles from the shoreline or 30 minutes' flying distance at cruising speed, whichever is the less. The distance between Colombo and Male is about 400 nautical miles, which is a long range over water operations.brThe inaugural flight of the airliner on Dhaka-Colombo-Male route faced unwanted disruption in Colombo due to technical glitches. brBut Tito said before the direction of CAAB the Best Air authority on August 26 decided not to operate the Boeing-737, as there were some problems in the aircraft.brBest Air is operating flights on Dhaka-Bangkok and Dhaka-Colombo-Male routes.brBest Aviation started its journey in 1999 as helicopter operator and then began its operation as a Freighter Airline in 2000. It obtained license in 2006 from the Civil Aviation Authority to operate passenger service in the international and domestic sectors. The company launched its passenger fleet with Boeing 737-200, which was the first in Bangladesh.brThe airliner started its operation on the country's busiest Dhaka-Chittagong route on January 14 this year with a single Boeing 737-200. It operates flight to Bangkok four days a week with the same Boeing.