Civil aviation ministry to sit with airlines soon
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Talha Bin Habib
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT) will sit with the authorities of country's airlines within the next few days to finalise the resumption of flights between Dhaka and Yangon following the recent air services agreement (ASA) between the two countries, officials said.
"We will sit with the authorities of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines and United Airways (BD) Ltd soon to discuss the resumption of air services on the route," Secretary of MoCAT Md Atharul Islam told the FE Saturday.
Earlier, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed ASA in Yangon on January 17, 2012 for direct air link between the two countries.
Ticket fare between Dhaka and Yangon could sharply come down almost by 70 per cent if the new air services between the two countries go into operation, industry insiders said.
They said that it will also boost the bilateral trade, investment and tourism between the two countries.
"If the direct air services go into operation between Bangladesh and Myanmar then it
would reduce both air fare and travelling hours significantly," President of Bangladesh-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) KB Ahmed told the FE on the day.
He said the number of businessmen and tourists of the two countries will increase significantly if the direct flights between the two countries resume.
"The two-way trade between the two neighbours will also go up substantially," he added.
He said Bangladesh exported goods worth US $ 9 - 10 million to Myanmar while imported goods worth $ 110 million during the last fiscal year ( 2010-11).
The high officials of the two countries during their 5th Joint Trade Commission meeting in Naypyidaw last year agreed in principle to increase their mutual trade and business to $ 500 million during the current fiscal year (FY) 2011-12.
ASA would open up the opportunities to operate weekly seven passengers' flights between the two countries by more than one air operators including the private airlines.
Bangladesh delegation led by civil aviation and tourism secretary visited the Republic of the Union of Myanmar for signing the air services agreement, and to explore the scope of tourism between the two countries.
The president of BMCCI has said that both the public and private airlines of the two countries have expressed their willingness to resume flight operations.
He said that as there is no direct flight between Dhaka and Yangon at present, businessmen and tourists are compelled to go to Yangon via Thailand/ Malaysia or Singapore which takes five to six hours.
Moreover, during return journey, they (Bangladeshis) have to stay overnight there that is merely a time consuming matter, he added.
"The return ticket fare on the route is now Tk 150,000 due to the absence of direct flight between Dhaka and Yangon," he added.
The air services agreement between the two countries would allow both countries' national and private airlines to operate flights between Dhaka and Yangon that will take only one hour and 45 minutes.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd, GMG Airlines and United Airways (BD) Ltd and KBZ Airways, Myanmar Airways and Bagaan Airways of Myanmar would be able to operate flights between the two cities after long 14 years.
With the formation of new civilian government in Naypyidaw, the things have started changing in Myanmar. Many European countries and the United States have expressed their willingness to do business with the country.
The current American and European Union sanctions on Myanmar are expected to be lifted and businesses would begin to exploit the untapped market of Myanmar, a country which is very rich in natural resources.
The withdrawal of house arrest order on pro-democracy icon and leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi and release of more than 600 opposition leaders would surely open up a new window of opportunities for outside world to do business with Myanmar.
With regard to the possible time frame for the resumption of direct air services between Dhaka-Yangon the secretary of MoCAT said, "We are working on it. We hope it could resume this year".
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT) will sit with the authorities of country's airlines within the next few days to finalise the resumption of flights between Dhaka and Yangon following the recent air services agreement (ASA) between the two countries, officials said.
"We will sit with the authorities of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines and United Airways (BD) Ltd soon to discuss the resumption of air services on the route," Secretary of MoCAT Md Atharul Islam told the FE Saturday.
Earlier, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed ASA in Yangon on January 17, 2012 for direct air link between the two countries.
Ticket fare between Dhaka and Yangon could sharply come down almost by 70 per cent if the new air services between the two countries go into operation, industry insiders said.
They said that it will also boost the bilateral trade, investment and tourism between the two countries.
"If the direct air services go into operation between Bangladesh and Myanmar then it
would reduce both air fare and travelling hours significantly," President of Bangladesh-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) KB Ahmed told the FE on the day.
He said the number of businessmen and tourists of the two countries will increase significantly if the direct flights between the two countries resume.
"The two-way trade between the two neighbours will also go up substantially," he added.
He said Bangladesh exported goods worth US $ 9 - 10 million to Myanmar while imported goods worth $ 110 million during the last fiscal year ( 2010-11).
The high officials of the two countries during their 5th Joint Trade Commission meeting in Naypyidaw last year agreed in principle to increase their mutual trade and business to $ 500 million during the current fiscal year (FY) 2011-12.
ASA would open up the opportunities to operate weekly seven passengers' flights between the two countries by more than one air operators including the private airlines.
Bangladesh delegation led by civil aviation and tourism secretary visited the Republic of the Union of Myanmar for signing the air services agreement, and to explore the scope of tourism between the two countries.
The president of BMCCI has said that both the public and private airlines of the two countries have expressed their willingness to resume flight operations.
He said that as there is no direct flight between Dhaka and Yangon at present, businessmen and tourists are compelled to go to Yangon via Thailand/ Malaysia or Singapore which takes five to six hours.
Moreover, during return journey, they (Bangladeshis) have to stay overnight there that is merely a time consuming matter, he added.
"The return ticket fare on the route is now Tk 150,000 due to the absence of direct flight between Dhaka and Yangon," he added.
The air services agreement between the two countries would allow both countries' national and private airlines to operate flights between Dhaka and Yangon that will take only one hour and 45 minutes.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd, GMG Airlines and United Airways (BD) Ltd and KBZ Airways, Myanmar Airways and Bagaan Airways of Myanmar would be able to operate flights between the two cities after long 14 years.
With the formation of new civilian government in Naypyidaw, the things have started changing in Myanmar. Many European countries and the United States have expressed their willingness to do business with the country.
The current American and European Union sanctions on Myanmar are expected to be lifted and businesses would begin to exploit the untapped market of Myanmar, a country which is very rich in natural resources.
The withdrawal of house arrest order on pro-democracy icon and leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi and release of more than 600 opposition leaders would surely open up a new window of opportunities for outside world to do business with Myanmar.
With regard to the possible time frame for the resumption of direct air services between Dhaka-Yangon the secretary of MoCAT said, "We are working on it. We hope it could resume this year".