Dhaka-New York direct flight, US pledges cooperation

The United States has assured Bangladesh of its cooperation in launching direct commercial flights on the Dhaka-New York route, as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation in aviation and tourism.

The assurance came during a meeting between Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen at the minister’s office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday (September 16).

During the meeting, the minister said the government is giving priority to developing the country’s civil aviation sector and is working on an aviation master plan to improve air connectivity.

He said Bangladesh aims to emerge as a regional aviation hub and has recently introduced a modern air traffic management system at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The government is also taking steps to establish an international airport in Bogura, he added.

Millat said initiatives have been taken to add new aircraft to the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines with the aim of turning the national carrier into a globally recognised legacy airline.

He said an agreement has already been signed to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft, describing the deal as an important example of long-term commercial and strategic cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States.

The minister, however, stressed the need for faster delivery of the Boeing aircraft.

Regarding direct commercial flights to the US, Millat said achieving FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 status is crucial.

Considering the growing commercial and diplomatic ties between the two countries and the large number of Bangladeshis living in the US, the government is working to launch direct flights on the Dhaka-JFK route next year, he said.

On tourism, the minister said Bangladesh has immense potential because of its natural beauty. The government is encouraging private investment to develop the country's 1,498 tourist attractions into international-standard destinations, he added.

Ambassador Christensen said the United States stands beside Bangladesh in its efforts to develop as an aviation hub and expressed confidence that the friendly relations between the two countries would remain strong.

He also expressed interest among US investors in Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism sectors.

The US ambassador assured that Washington would provide all possible cooperation in launching direct flights between Dhaka and New York.

The two sides also discussed the ambassador’s initiative to visit various tourist destinations in Bangladesh to promote the country’s tourism sector.

The ambassador congratulated Millat on assuming full ministerial responsibility for the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.

-AAH