Dhaka-Narita route won't be suspended again: Minister
Afroza Khanam said the route would be profitable this time, adding that bookings had already been completed for the inaugural flight as well as return and subsequent flights
ATT Correspondent 
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has resumed direct flights on the Dhaka-Narita route after a suspension of more than a year, with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita saying the service will not be suspended again.
"There is no question of suspending the Dhaka-Narita route again," she said while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the direct service at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday night.
She said the route would be profitable this time, adding that bookings had already been completed for the inaugural flight as well as return and subsequent flights.
The revival of the route has also generated considerable enthusiasm among Bangladeshis living in Japan, she said.
The minister said the direct service would further strengthen bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Japan and open up new opportunities for investment, trade and educational cooperation.
At the event, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said Biman would add Airbus aircraft to its fleet alongside Boeing aircraft to meet future demand.
The government aims to expand Biman Bangladesh Airlines' fleet to 50 aircraft by 2034, he said.
The direct Dhaka-Narita service was suspended on July 1, 2025, during the interim government's tenure after the route was deemed unprofitable. It has now resumed after a suspension of more than a year.
The minister said the government would not suspend any international route in the future. Instead, new flights would be launched based on passenger demand and commercial potential.
