Dhaka-Rome direct flight: Italian expatriates hope for corruption-free, smooth service

Italian expatriates in Rome have welcomed the relaunch of the Dhaka-Rome-Dhaka flight by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, but have urged the airline to ensure corruption-free and mismanagement-free passenger service to prevent the route's closure again.

The direct flight route, which primarily targets the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Italy estimated at around 350,000, was previously closed in 2015. 

Expatriates blamed the closure on mismanagement and corruption by Biman officials, alleging that tickets were being withheld from sale and sold on the black market.

Biman authorities, however, attributed the closure to a lack of profitability on the route nine years ago.

At the launch event in Rome on Wednesday, which featured an iftar gathering, Kibria Golam Mohammad, who has resided in Italy for 40 years and serves as the organising secretary of the European Union Awami League, stressed the importance of maintaining the route.

"Earlier, there was a direct flight on this route until 2015. But this route was closed due to some officials of Biman," Kibria Golam said.

The Bangladeshi expatriates believe that a hassle-free and smooth passenger experience will guarantee the route's success. Biman's Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azam assured the expatriate community of their commitment to providing the highest level of service.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain echoed this sentiment, warning of strict measures against any corruption or mismanagement.

"No kind of corruption will be tolerated in Biman. This route has been reopened considering the huge demand of the passengers. So, the service issue will definitely be a priority," Mokammel Hossain said.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Chairman Sajjadul Hassan, expatriate businessmen, travel agents, and leaders of the Italian and European Awami League.

The first flight from Rome to Dhaka carried 11 passengers in business class and 243 in economy class, with the route being operated using Biman's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines restarted its Dhaka to Rome route on Wednesday after nine years. Upon the inaugural flight's arrival in Rome, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Italy Monirul Islam greeted the passengers at the airport.

The Rome route is serviced by Biman's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The first flight from Rome to Dhaka carried 11 passengers in business class and 243 in economy class.

Italian expatriate Bangladeshis expressed their happiness at the flight's resumption and thanked Biman Bangladesh Airlines' management.