BIMAN BANGLADESH AIRLINES has announced that from January it will operate direct flights from Manchester to Dhaka and Sylhet three times a week. The company will use state of the art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the route.
Biman, the national Bangladeshi airline, operated routes from Manchester until 2012. The flights will be of particular benefit to those in northern England who want to fly to Bangladesh, but the extra capacity should also cut down overcrowding on flights that continue to operate from one of London’s airports.
The new service is expecting to attract business travellers, who will pay £1,500 for a business class trip, as well as personal travellers, who are expected to take advantage of the £580 economy fare. The flight will operate on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, and the journey will take ten hours.
The news was announced at an event at the British High Commission in Dhaka. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is leading a ten day delegation to the sub-continent was present, along with Manchester Airport CEO Andrew Cowan. The Chair of Biman Bangladesh’s Board of Directors was also present.
Speaking from Dhaka, Andrew Cowan said, “Manchester Airport is the UK’s gateway to the north of England and within our catchment area there are many long-standing Bangladeshi communities for whom this will make a massive difference. We know there are many northern companies with a desire to trade in Bangladesh, while we also look forward to welcoming business and leisure visitors from that part of the world.”
Mayor Andy Burnham said, “A direct connection between Manchester and Bangladesh will bring many trade, cultural and educational benefits and as well as being hugely valued by the many families of Bangladesh heritage living in Greater Manchester and across the North. I intend to keep building Greater Manchester’s relationship with Bangladesh over the coming years so our friends from Biman can rest assured we will do all we can to promote and support this vital route.”
Another member of the delegation, Cllr Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council, said:, “I am absolutely delighted that Biman Bangladesh will be operating this direct flight from Manchester. It will be an extremely convenient service for the many people of Bangladeshi heritage living in the North West of England.”
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