Afroza Khanam said airlines decide on operating or suspending international routes based on commercial considerations
Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Afroza Khanam spoke at the Jatiya Sangsad, Dhaka. Photo: BSS
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Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Afroza Khanam spoke at the Jatiya Sangsad, Dhaka. Photo: BSS
FlyDubai Airlines is planning to resume its flight operations from Sylhet, according to Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita.
She made the statement during the 24th day of the parliamentary session today (29 April) in response to a question raised during the question-and-answer session of the Parliament.
Emran Ahmed Chowdhury, MP for Sylhet-6, asked whether measures would be taken to allow airlines from different countries to operate flights from Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport.
He said, “A large number of residents of Sylhet-6 travel abroad and to different parts of the country and that although Sylhet Osmani International Airport is the only airport serving Sylhet for air travel, no foreign airlines other than Biman Bangladesh Airlines are seen operating flights there.”
Emran then inquired whether initiatives would be taken to facilitate operations of foreign airlines in order to reduce inconvenience for expatriate workers and foreign tourists from Sylhet and to increase government revenue.
In response, Afroza said that Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently operates 23 international flights per week from Sylhet Osmani International Airport on routes to London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Jeddah, Sharjah and Doha.
She said, “At present, 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 all airlines interested in operating flights in Bangladesh.
Afroza said that Sylhet Osmani International 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.
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