Biman to resume Dhaka–Narita flights on July 27

Dhaka: Biman Bangladesh Airlines will resume its direct Dhaka–Narita–Dhaka service on July 27, restoring air connectivity between Bangladesh and Japan after more than a year of suspension, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam announced at a press conference on July 15 at the secretariat.

The national flag carrier had earlier planned to relaunch the route by June 30. However, the restart was postponed due to regulatory requirements set by Japanese aviation authorities.

According to Biman officials, the Dhaka–Narita route was suspended on July 1, 2025, by the previous government, citing commercial viability concerns, aircraft shortages, and operational costs. Minister Khanam said the decision came at a time when the route was approaching profitability.

Following the change in government, Biman was instructed to restore the service as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan and enhance business, economic, and people-to-people connectivity between the two countries.

However, before flights could resume, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) required a safety audit of the airline. The audit process was estimated to take around 45 days, prompting the carrier to shift the relaunch date to July 27.

Initially, Biman will operate one weekly flight on the route using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline said it intends to gradually increase flight frequencies depending on passenger demand, commercial performance, and aircraft availability.

Officials said ticket sales are expected to begin around June 20 through Biman’s website and all distribution channels.

The airline expressed confidence that the route would attract strong demand, particularly from the growing Bangladeshi community in Japan. More than 40,000 Bangladeshi students and workers are currently living in Japan, and the number is expected to rise in the coming years.

Biman noted that the announcement of the route’s return had already generated significant enthusiasm among Bangladeshis residing in Japan. The carrier believes that with proper planning and efficient network management, the service can become both sustainable and commercially successful.

The Dhaka–Narita service was first launched by Biman in September 2023 but remained operational for less than two years before being suspended in July 2025.