FlyDubai plans to resume flights from Sylhet: Aviation minister
Afroza Khanam said airlines decide on operating or suspending international routes based on commercial considerations
FlyDubai Airlines, an Emirati government-owned airline, is planning to resume its flight operations from Sylhet, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita told parliament during a question-and-answer session today (29 April).
She made the remarks when Sylhet-6 MP Emran Ahmed Chowdhury wanted to know whether measures would be taken to allow airlines from different countries to operate flights from Sylhet's Osmani International Airport.
Emran told parliament that many people from Sylhet-6 travel both abroad and within the country. However, although Sylhet airport is the only airport serving the area, no foreign airlines operate there, except Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
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He then inquired whether initiatives would be taken to facilitate the operations of foreign airlines, reduce the suffering of expatriate workers and foreign tourists from Sylhet, and increase government revenue.
In reply, Afroza said that Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently operates 23 international flights per week from Sylhet to London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Jeddah, Sharjah and Doha.
She said, "Currently, no foreign airline other than Biman operates international flights from Sylhet. FlyDubai Airlines had previously operated flights from Sylhet to Dubai from March 2017 to September 2018, but later ceased operations from Bangladesh. The airline is now planning to resume its flight operations from Sylhet."
She also said that airlines make decisions to continue or suspend operations on specific international routes based on their commercial interests.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority provide necessary policy support to airlines interested in operating flights in Bangladesh.
The minister said that Sylhet airport has almost all facilities equivalent to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for passenger and cargo transportation.
"There are no obstacles for foreign airlines to operate international flights from Sylhet," she concluded.
