Biman spreads wings to Chennai

Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Saturday spread its wings to south Indian city Chennai especially to facilitate Bangladeshi medical service seekers coinciding with Bangladesh's 53rd Victory Day.

The inaugural flight operated by Boeing 737 carrying 161 passengers took off from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 12.50 pm (local time) and is scheduled to reach Chennai International Airport in India at 3:20 pm (local time), BSS reports.

Initially, Biman will operate weekly 3 flights on this route on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday with departure from Dhaka at 12:50 pm (local time) and arrival at Chennai at 3:20 pm (local time) and return flight Departure from Chennai at 4:15 pm (local time) and arrival at Dhaka at 7:30 pm (local time).

State Minister for civil aviation and tourism M Mahbub Ali inaugurated the inaugural flight of the national flag carrier virtually as the chief while Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma was present at the opening ceremony at the HSIA.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim gave the welcome speech at the inaugural ceremony that was also addressed by Biman Bangladesh Board of Directors' Chairman Mostofa Kamal Uddin, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain and HSIA's Executive Director Captain M Kamrul Islam.

The state minister said embarking on a new trajectory to Chennai is not a mere extension of Biman's wings rather it is a jubilant celebration of the enduring friendship between Bangladesh and India on the Victory Day with the triumphant spirit of the nation.

He hoped that the newly unveiled route will foster heightened economic collaboration, vibrant cultural exchange, and strengthen people-to-people connectivity in line with strong bond between Bangladesh and India that is rooted in shared values, ethnic affinities and a joint commitment to progress.
Indian high commissioner said the partnership and engagement between India and Bangladesh have grown at a very repaid pace in recent years while connectivity is one of the major manifestation in transformation of the relationship.

Last financial year, Verma said, India issued 15 lakhs visa to Bangladeshi nationals while the number is going to surpluses this year.
Thanking Biman to establish air link to another Indian city, the envoy said the rising number of people travelling two countries reflects new era of growing engagement and momentum of people to people contact between Bangladesh and India.

"Biman has chosen 16 December for inaugural flight because of Victory Day holds a special place in our hearts as we pay homage to the sacrifices made by those who fought for the freedom and independence of our nations," Biman Managing Director and CEO said.

Noting that the inaugural flight is flying to Chennai with 100 percent cabin factor, he hoped Biman will increase its flight frequency to daily from three weekly soon.  

Azim said the new Biman's route to Chennai is part of the national flag carriers plan to expand its route to different international destinations while his airlines is also planning to operate direct flights to more Indian destinations like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Guwahati.  

At present, Biman has a total of 21 aircraft in its fleet, of these, four are Boeing 777-300 ER, four are Boeing 787-8, two are Boeing 787-9, six are Boeing 737 and five are Dash 8-400 aircraft.Biman became the second airline after the country's private carrier US Bangla airlines to establish direct flights on Dhaka-Chennai-Dhaka route.