US-Bangla Airlines launches Kathmandu flights
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon inaugurating Dhaka-Kathmandu-Dhaka flights of US-Bangla Airlines as the chief guest in the city Sunday. — Focus Bangla Photo
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon said Sunday that the private airlines in the country are doing better due mainly to miserable condition of Biman Bangladesh Airlines as domestic flights of the latter had been shut for two years.
The minister also called upon the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) to provide the private airlines with international standard facilities.
“There was a time when we had to carry passengers only by the national flag carrier-Biman. But we fell in trouble due either to insufficient aircraft of Biman or those were out-of-order,” said Mr Menon.
“Biman Bangladesh Airlineswas in such a miserable condition that we had to stop domestic fight operation for two years. At that time these private airlines served the passengers,” he added.
The minister said these while addressing the launching ceremony of Dhaka-Kathmandu-Dhaka flights of US-Bangla Airlines as the chief guest.
Mr Menon said Bangladesh has witnessed success in passenger and cargo flights operation by the private sector entrepreneurs. US-Bangla Airlines has a big contribution to this end.
Mr Menon said the private airlines been playing positive role in the country’s economic progress by carrying passengers and cargo, he said.
“But the private sector airlines operators have some complaints in connection with the landing and parking charges which are the same as the international rates. Besides, the biggest problem is that they do not have any hanger,” said the minister, adding “I have already asked the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) chairman to take necessary measures to provide them with international standard facilities.”
Speaking on the occasion, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Ehsanul Gani Chowdhury said it is always an awarding and proud feeling when a local airlines starts operation on international routes.
“We feel comfortable if we travel by local airlines. But the trend of maintaining schedule by US-Bangla Airlines has to be continued otherwise foreigners will question our efficiency, proficiency and handling,” he said.
Addressing the function, Managing Director of US-Bangla Airlines Abdullah Al Mamun said US-Bangla Airlines has already operated 10,600 flights with a record of 98.7 per cent on-time flight schedule. Two more aircraft Boeing 737-800 will be added to the fleet to carry passengers to Singapore, Malaysia and Bangkok.
Initially, the flights will leave Dhaka on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 3pm and will reach to Kathmundu at 4:30pm (local time). It will again leave Kathmundu at 5:10pm and arrive in Dhaka at 7:10pm.
The minimum round-trip fare for Dhaka-Kathmundu-Dhaka has been fixed Tk 13,999 and Tk 9,999 for one way inclusive of all taxes and surcharges.
