Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to resume its direct flights between Dhaka and Japan's Narita International Airport on July 27, nearly a year after the service was suspended, as the government seeks to strengthen connectivity with a growing Bangladeshi community in Japan.
The announcement was made by Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Afroza Khanom Rita at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Monday.
Speaking at the briefing, the adviser said the government had attached priority to restoring the route as part of broader efforts to improve passenger services and operational efficiency in the aviation sector.
"We have been working to bring discipline and improved services to the aviation sector so that Bangladeshi expatriates and other passengers can travel in greater comfort and confidence," she said.
Referring to the suspended route, Ms Rita said the government was committed to bringing back the service and had completed the necessary preparations to restart operations.
Although the flight was initially targeted for re-launch by June 30, the schedule was pushed back to July 27 to allow completion of regulatory and operational requirements.
She said Japanese civil aviation authorities required additional time to conduct safety-related assessments and audits before granting final clearance.
"We have certain responsibilities towards Japan's civil aviation authorities. They informed us that around 45 days would be needed to complete the necessary safety and audit procedures," she added.
Civil Aviation and Tourism State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said ticket sales for the route would begin on June 20 through all available distribution channels, including Biman's official website.
"With ticket sales opening from June 20, we are fully prepared to operate the first flight on July 27," he said.
Initially, the service will operate once a week. The state minister noted that Japan is now home to more than 40,000 Bangladeshi students and workers, with the number expected to increase in the coming years.
He said the announcement had generated enthusiasm among Bangladeshis living in Japan as well as Japanese stakeholders.
Responding to questions regarding the route's commercial viability, Mr Millat claimed that the service had achieved operational stability and eventually became profitable before its suspension.
"We want quality, not quantity, in Biman's operations. We have carefully reviewed the business case and are confident that the route can be operated profitably," he said.
Biman Managing Director and CEO Kaiser Sohail Ahmed and Deputy Managing Director Syed Moin Uddin Ahmed were also present at the briefing.
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