Govt to expand Biman Bangladesh Airlines network Says commerce minister
The government has already purchased 14 new aircraft from Boeing to further expand the network of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Commerce, Industry, Jute and Textile Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said.
He also said, “Our goal is not only to make this national flag carrier profitable but also to take it to a strong and prestigious position in the world.”
The inauguration of the Hajj flight at Sylhet Osmani International Airport was held on Sunday night. The minister inaugurated the programme as the chief guest.
He further added that the process of adding several more aircraft to the fleet is underway and will continue in the near future.
It was informed at the event that the first Hajj flight departed from Sylhet for Medina at 10 pm on Sunday. This season, a total of 3,394 passengers will travel to Saudi Arabia on seven dedicated flights from Sylhet. Of these, one flight will land in Medina and the remaining six flights will land at Jeddah Airport.
Out of the total passengers, 2,933 will depart directly from Sylhet, while the remaining 461 passengers will travel via Dhaka.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Sylhet District Manager Md. Shariful Alam presided over the programme. BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Dr. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP Acting President Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi, Former General Secretary Badruzzaman Selim, Current General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, and Sylhet Osmani Airport Director Hafiz Ahmed attended as special guests.
The Imam and Khatib of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) Dargah Mosque led the prayers. Station Manager Shakil Ahmed delivered the welcome speech under the direction of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Sylhet District Traffic Officer Zakir Hossain Sumon. Senior officials of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and local political leaders were also present at the event.
Meanwhile, the airline authorities have ensured special security and service arrangements to reduce passenger inconvenience during this year’s Hajj season. The invited guests, including the minister, bade farewell to the passengers of the first flight to Medina by presenting them with flowers.
