Urging the authorities concerned for re-launching codeshare facilities for private airlines, Regent Airways Chief Operating Officer Ashish Roy Chowdhury said that the codeshare with the international airlines will give a boost to the country’s aviation sector.
“As the Bangladeshi carrier, Regent Airways had signed codeshare agreement – an arrangement where two or more airlines share the same flight, with Fly Dubai for the first time. Regent Airways was the marketing carrier while Fly Dubai was operating carrier but it stopped soon after operating two flights”, he said.
“We are discussing with the government and submitted a proposal to re-launch the codeshare system. National flag carrier Biman is also trying to sign codeshare agreement”, Ashish Roy Chowdhury told Aviation news in an exclusive interview.
Seeking piece-by-piece charge on ground handling, he said that if the government can reissue piece-by-piece charge system instead of package charge on ground handling, it will help grow and keep sustainability of private airlines.
Demanding that both the domestic and international carriers should enjoy equal fuel price, Ashish said, “When a flight operates in the domestic route, it has to buy fuel at Tk 62 a litre and at the same time when we buy the same fuel for international destination, it costs only Tk 40 per litre”.
If the fuel price is adjusted, the local carrier would get the benefit and the fare charge will come down, he added.
Recalling his long experience in aviation industry, Ashish Chowdhury said that he has been involved with aviation industry for the last 19 years.
“I started my aviation career in 1999 and worked at foreign carriers, GMG Airlines till 2013. I have joined Regent Airways in 2013”, he said.
Terming investment in aviation sector little bit shaky, he said that government support and incentives is very much essential for sustainability in the aviation industry, but at present, the sector is not enjoying any such facilities.
“The government is nourishing the RMG sector with full support and the industry is flourishing gradually. Aviation industry is also capable of making such progress and contribute a lot to the economy if it is provided with proper government policy support”, he opined.
Giving example of Singapore, he said the country’s aviation industry is contributing a lot enjoying the government support. A large number of passengers travel from and to Bangladesh and 30-32 international airlines are carrying out passenger transportation business depending over this huge number.
Mentioning that the country’s airports war hackneyed, this aviation careerist said that all the airports are old. Bangladesh has huge business prospect and the country can become an aviation hub if proper plan is made for the development of the airports.
Why private airlines in the country cannot sustain long?, he was asked. He identified two major obstacles that private airlines face. High surcharge at 72 percent annually on late payment and less government policy support are mainly responsible for such an obstacle. High parking charge is also a major impediment.
“Air-Provat had to wrap up its business here, then Aero-Bengal came but it was also compelled to shut down its operation. GMG Airlines also ended its operation and United Airways is also at the verge of closure”, he feared.
Explaining their expansion plan, Ashish Chowdhury said that they are going to launch its flights to Guangzhou of China soon. Besides, they have planned to start operation to Doha and Colombo. In domestic route, Regent Airways will open operation to Sylhet, Jessore routes after adding a new fleet in its fleet soon.
During the Muslims biggest festival Eid, Regent Airways is offering exclusive fares ast all destinations, he said.
Regent Airways, owned by Chittagong-based Habib Group, launched its journey in November, 2010. It specially focuses on international flights rather than domestic operation.
Regent Airways opened its international wing in 2013 with flights to Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Now it flies to five other global destinations- Bangkok, Singapore, Kathmandu, Kolkata and Muscat.
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