Dhaka requests Washington to introduce Dhaka-NY flights

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has sought US cooperation in launching direct flights between Dhaka and New York next year, while stressing the need to accelerate the delivery of Boeing aircraft ordered for Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

The minister made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

Millat said the government was giving priority to the country’s civil aviation sector and working on an aviation master plan to improve air connectivity.

He said an advanced air traffic management system had recently been installed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as part of efforts to establish Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub. The government has also taken an initiative to establish an international airport in Bogura, he added.

The minister said the government had taken steps to purchase new aircraft to establish Biman Bangladesh Airlines as a globally acclaimed carrier.

As part of this venture, an agreement had already been signed to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft, which he described as an important example of long-term commercial and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

He, however, stressed the need to expedite the delivery of the Boeing aircraft.

Millat also said obtaining Category 1 status under the US Federal Aviation Administration’s International Aviation Safety

Assessment (IASA) programme was important for operating direct commercial flights to the United States.

Considering the growing commercial and diplomatic relations between the two countries and the large number of Bangladeshi citizens living in the US, the government was working to launch direct flights on the Dhaka-New York (JFK) route next year, he said.

The minister also discussed the development of the tourism sector, saying Bangladesh had considerable natural attractions.

e said the government was encouraging private investment to develop the country’s 1,498 tourist spots into international-standard destinations.
Ambassador Christensen said the United States would support Bangladesh’s efforts to develop as an aviation hub and expressed commitment to maintaining the friendly relations between two countries.

He congratulated Millat on taking charge as the full minister for civil aviation and tourism.

The ambassador also told US investors were interested in investing in local civil aviation and tourism sectors.

He assured that the United States would provide all necessary cooperation for launching flights on the Dhaka-New York route.
The two sides also discussed the ambassador’s visits to different tourist destinations in Bangladesh to promote the country’s tourism sector.