Biman launches Dhaka to Chennai flight
Flights will be operated on the route every Saturday, Monday, and Thursday
Biman Bangladesh Airlines inaugurated a direct flight on the Dhaka-Chennai route on Saturday, the Victory Day of Bangladesh.
The inaugural flight, BG363, filled with 156 passengers, took off from Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 12:50pm.
On the occasion, a special programme was held at the Dhaka airport. Mahbub Ali, state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, inaugurated the route through a video message. Pranay Verma, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, was the special guest at the event.
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Scheduled for every Saturday, Monday, and Thursday, the flights will depart Dhaka at 12:50pm and return from Chennai at 4:15pm local time. Flights will be operated on the route by Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
State Minister Ali, in his video message, emphasised that embarking on this new journey is not just about expanding Biman's reach, but also a joyous celebration of the enduring friendship between Bangladesh and India, marked by the triumphant spirit of Victory Day.
He expressed confidence that this route will foster greater economic collaboration, cultural vibrancy, and stronger people-to-people ties.
High Commissioner Verma echoed these sentiments, highlighting the rapid growth in partnership and engagement between India and Bangladesh, with connectivity serving as a key driver of this transformation.
He revealed that India issued 15 lakh visas to Bangladesh nationals in the last financial year, with the number expected to rise even further.
Shafiul Azim, managing director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, gave the welcome speech at the inaugural ceremony. Mostofa Kamal Uddin, chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines' board of directors, Md Mokammel Hossain secretary to the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, and Captain M Kamrul Islam, executive director of HSIA, was also present.
Biman MD Shafiul Azim said choosing Victory Day for the inaugural flight was a deliberate decision to pay homage to the sacrifices made for freedom and independence.
He expressed his hope that the current thrice-weekly schedule will soon transition to daily flights due to the overwhelming initial response, with a 100% cabin factor on the inaugural flight.
Furthermore, Azim reiterated Biman's commitment to expanding its international network, with Chennai marking the first step in this direction. He shared plans for direct flights to other Indian destinations like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Guwahati soon.
Many tourists from Bangladesh travel to Chennai, India every year for treatment. Biman became the second airline after the country's private Airline US-Bangla's direct flights on the Dhaka-Chennai-Dhaka route.
