British Airways wants to return to Bangladesh
The UK flag carrier has applied to the Bangladesh government for resuming operations from Dhaka and the government also is considering its application favorably
British Airways wants to resume operations in Bangladesh after more than a decade.
The flag carrier of the United Kingdom has applied to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism recently for resuming passenger flights on Dhaka-London-Dhaka route.
After the resumption of the operation, British Airways will emerge as the main competitor of Biman Bangladesh Airlines – currently the only aviation company that operates direct flights between London and Dhaka.
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"We are considering their application positively," said Mohibul Haque, senior secretary of the aviation ministry.
Bangladesh already has an air agreement with the UK and Biman has operations in London. So, British Airways will get permission as per the air agreement between the two countries, he added.
British Airways suspended its operation from Dhaka in 2009 as the route was not making any profit. Biman also had flight operations from London at that time.
Flight operation in London is profitable for Biman as the number of flyers on the route has increased.
Currently, 10,000 Bangladeshi workers live in the UK. London is the only route that was kept open by Biman during the pandemic situation.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has flight operations at two destinations in the UK – London and Manchester. Flight operation in Manchester remained suspended after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
Biman is currently operating two weekly flights to London.
Considering passengers' demand, Biman introduced a direct flight to London from Sylhet on 4 October this year.
In the maiden flight, 232 passengers left Sylhet Osmani International Airport for London. The direct flight from Sylhet is being operated on every Wednesday.
