Bangladesh eyes direct Dhaka-New York flights next year
Dhaka: Bangladesh is working to launch direct commercial flights between Dhaka and New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport next year, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said on September 16.
The minister made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital.
Millat said the government considers the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 status crucial for operating direct commercial flights to the United States.
“Considering the growing commercial and diplomatic relations between the two countries and the convenience of travel for the large number of Bangladeshis living in the United States, the government is working to operate direct flights on the Dhaka-New York (JFK) route next year,” according to a press release issued by the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.
The US ambassador assured Bangladesh of Washington’s cooperation in launching flights on the Dhaka-New York route.
“America will provide all kinds of cooperation in launching flights on the Dhaka-New York route,” the ambassador said, according to the release.
The minister also said the government is working on an aviation master plan to improve air connectivity and establish Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub.
He highlighted the recent launch of a modern air traffic management system at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and the government’s initiative to establish an international airport in Bogura.
Millat also said Bangladesh has taken an initiative to procure new aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines with the aim of developing it into a globally recognized legacy carrier.
As part of the initiative, an agreement has already been signed to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft, which he described as an important example of long-term commercial and strategic cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States.
However, he stressed the need to expedite delivery of the Boeing aircraft.
During the meeting, the US ambassador also said American investors are interested in investing in Bangladesh’s civil aviation and tourism sectors and expressed continued US support for Bangladesh’s efforts to develop itself as an aviation hub.
The two sides also discussed the promotion of Bangladesh’s tourism sector, including visits by the US ambassador to different tourist attractions in the country.
