Bangladesh seeks to resume Dhaka-New York direct flights next year.
Bangladesh is working to resume direct flights between Dhaka and New York next year, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said today.
The minister revealed the plan during a courtesy call by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen at his office at the Secretariat here.
Millat said the initiative was being pursued considering the growing commercial and diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the United States, as well as the travel needs of the large Bangladeshi community living there.
He said securing Category 1 status under the US Federal Aviation Administration’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) programme is essential for operating direct commercial flights to the United States.
The US ambassador assured that Washington would extend all possible cooperation to facilitate the launch of direct flights on the Dhaka-New York (JFK) route.
During the meeting, the two sides emphasised further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States, particularly in the civil aviation and tourism sectors.
The minister said the government is attaching special importance to the country’s civil aviation sector and working to formulate an aviation master plan to improve air connectivity.
As part of efforts to transform Bangladesh into a regional aviation hub, a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Management System has recently been inaugurated at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he said.
The government has also undertaken an initiative to establish an international airport in Bogura, he added.
Millat said steps have been taken to procure new aircraft to develop Biman Bangladesh Airlines into a globally reputed legacy carrier.
An agreement has already been signed to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft, representing an important example of long-term commercial and strategic cooperation between the two countries, he said.
The minister, however, stressed the need for expediting the delivery of the Boeing aircraft.
Turning to tourism, Millat said Bangladesh possesses immense natural beauty, while the government is encouraging private investment to develop the country’s 1,498 tourist sites into international-standard destinations.
Christensen said the United States stands beside Bangladesh in its efforts to become a regional aviation hub and expressed confidence that the friendly relations between the two countries would remain strong.
He said US investors are interested in contributing to the development of Bangladesh’s civil aviation and tourism sectors.
The ambassador also congratulated Millat on assuming office as a full minister.
The meeting also discussed possible visits by Christensen to different tourist destinations to help promote Bangladesh’s tourism potential.
