Biman Bangladesh Airlines today resumed direct flights on the Dhaka-Narita-Dhaka route after a suspension of more than a year, restoring Bangladesh's only non-stop air link with Japan amid growing travel demand between the two countries. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam formally inaugurated the resumed service at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) early morning. The minister said bookings for the inaugural flight and subsequent flights had received an encouraging response, reflecting strong interest among Bangladeshis living in Japan. Restoration of the direct air link is expected to further strengthen Bangladesh-Japan bilateral relations and open new avenues for economic cooperation between the two countries.
Government Decision
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government had decided to restore the service considering the needs of around 45,000 Bangladeshis, including students, workers and other expatriates, living in Japan. He added that to ensure the service never has to be suspended again, the government will consider future demand and add not only Boeing aircraft but also Airbus aircraft to the fleet.
Historical Significance
Recalling the contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to establishing direct air connectivity with Japan, Millat said the Dhaka-Narita service was launched in 1980 despite aircraft constraints at the time. He noted that the resumption of the service today follows the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Future Plans
Biman officials earlier said the airline initially plans to operate one weekly flight with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, with frequency to be increased gradually depending on passenger demand and aircraft availability. The national carrier is also working on a proposed codeshare partnership with Japan Airlines (JAL) and Air Canada aimed at turning Narita into a gateway for Biman passengers travelling to destinations in North America.
