‘Biman\\\'s domestic flights cannot take off next month as planned\\\'

Biman Bangladesh Airlines' efforts to regain its lost domestic passenger market through resuming its local flights next month have suffered a setback as it could not yet sign the necessary deal with the Egyptian aircraft supplier company. "The plan to resume Biman's domestic flights won't be possible from the next month as the agreement with Egyptian Smart Aviation for a pair of Dash 8-Q400s is yet to be signed," AM Mosaddique Ahmed, a director of Biman, now serving as acting managing director and CEO of the national flag carrier, told the news agency. He said the representatives of the Smart Aviation were scheduled to sign the deal in October last but they could not. "They'll be in the capital to sign the deal in the middle of this month." The aircraft are supposed to be taken on dry lease basis for five years, Mr Mosaddique said.     — UNB