Flight with India resumes Oct 28
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh agreed to operate air travel considering the keenness of air travellers in both countries
The flight operation between Bangladesh and India will resume on October 28 after a long seven-month break since March 26.
Though the air connectivity between the two countries came to a halt in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, flight operations are going to start over under a special arrangement.
India went for such arrangements with several countries, including the US, the UK, France and Germany since July.
Each country will operate 28 weekly flights, according to the arrangement.
From Bangladesh, Biman will operate 14 flights to India while two other local carriers -- US-Bangla Airlines and Novo Air -- will make the rest, said Md Mokabbir Hossain, managing director of the national carrier.
He added that Biman will fly the routes of Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai.
From India, five Indian airlines -- Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara and GoAir -- would make 28 flights a week between the two countries.
The five Indian airlines are expected to fly the routes of Dhaka-Delhi, Dhaka-Kolkata, Dhaka-Chennai and Dhaka-Mumbai.
On October 9, the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh announced resumption of online visa application services for Bangladeshi citizens.
For now, visas will be provided under nine categories, including medical, business, employment, journalists and diplomats.
Earlier on August 10, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) proposed the operation of five airlines on 16 routes a week under the air travel bubble agreement between Bangladesh and India, primarily for emergency services during the coronavirus pandemic.
Following their proposal, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) discussed the issue with all local airlines and agreed to operate air travel considering the keenness of the individuals of both countries, specially stranded citizens, students and patients.
Finally, the decision of flight resumption came at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism last week.
Initially, around 5,000 passengers from both countries would be able to fly each week, said CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman.
