Biman resumes operation on Manama route
Friday, 2 April 2010
FE Report
Thousands of Bangladeshi workers currently living in gulf state Bahrain could return home by Biman Bangladesh Airlines as the national flag carrier resumed its operation between Dhaka and Manama from March 28, Biman official said.
"After nearly five years of suspension, Biman has re-established air-connectivity with the Persian Gulf state," Biman official in planning department said.
The new flight connecting Manama has been added to Biman's recently announced summer schedule starting from March 28.
"Our initial route is Dhaka-Bahrain-Kuwait-Dhaka. Biman will fly 240-seater Airbus aircraft once a week on the route," the official said.
Biman recently acquired its third Airbus aircraft on dry-lease from US based aircraft leasing company 'International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).'
The first flight on the route took-off with 180 Manama and Kuwait bound passengers, he said adding that the authority is expecting to carry more passengers in coming days.
Taking advantage of Biman's long absence, Bahrain Air, a privately owned national carrier in Bahrain launched its operation recently connecting Manama with Dhaka and Chittagong as per its efforts to reach its one-million-passenger target in 2010.
'Initially, we will operate three flights to Dhaka and four to the port city of Chittagong,' said Bahrain Air managing director Ibrahim Al Hamer, who piloted the inaugural flight. 'We may increase the frequency, depending on the load,' he added.
Over 200,000 Bangladeshis, most of them workers, are currently living in the Gulf state, with 11,000 workers joining alone in 2009. They remitted over US$157 million in fiscal 2008-09 and $85 million in the first six months of the current fiscal year.
Biman has air service agreements with 42 countries, but operates flights to less than 20 destinations.
Among 15 available aircraft in its fleet, Biman has three Airbus A310, two Boeing 737-800, three Fokker F28, one Boeing 747-200, one Boeing 777-200ER and five McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s.
Thousands of Bangladeshi workers currently living in gulf state Bahrain could return home by Biman Bangladesh Airlines as the national flag carrier resumed its operation between Dhaka and Manama from March 28, Biman official said.
"After nearly five years of suspension, Biman has re-established air-connectivity with the Persian Gulf state," Biman official in planning department said.
The new flight connecting Manama has been added to Biman's recently announced summer schedule starting from March 28.
"Our initial route is Dhaka-Bahrain-Kuwait-Dhaka. Biman will fly 240-seater Airbus aircraft once a week on the route," the official said.
Biman recently acquired its third Airbus aircraft on dry-lease from US based aircraft leasing company 'International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).'
The first flight on the route took-off with 180 Manama and Kuwait bound passengers, he said adding that the authority is expecting to carry more passengers in coming days.
Taking advantage of Biman's long absence, Bahrain Air, a privately owned national carrier in Bahrain launched its operation recently connecting Manama with Dhaka and Chittagong as per its efforts to reach its one-million-passenger target in 2010.
'Initially, we will operate three flights to Dhaka and four to the port city of Chittagong,' said Bahrain Air managing director Ibrahim Al Hamer, who piloted the inaugural flight. 'We may increase the frequency, depending on the load,' he added.
Over 200,000 Bangladeshis, most of them workers, are currently living in the Gulf state, with 11,000 workers joining alone in 2009. They remitted over US$157 million in fiscal 2008-09 and $85 million in the first six months of the current fiscal year.
Biman has air service agreements with 42 countries, but operates flights to less than 20 destinations.
Among 15 available aircraft in its fleet, Biman has three Airbus A310, two Boeing 737-800, three Fokker F28, one Boeing 747-200, one Boeing 777-200ER and five McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s.