Biman to resume Dhaka-New York flights soon : Mahbub Ali

Dhaka : Biman Bangladesh Airlines has taken all preparations to resume direct flights between Dhaka and New York soon, said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali.
"We have come a long way in this regard. Besides, Biman's flights to Japan's Narita, Sydney, Male and Guangzhou will be launched too," he added.
The State Minister said this at an event organised by Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Bangladesh High Commission in Canada on the occasion of the experimental launching of Dhaka-Toronto flight at Marriott Hotel in Toronto on March 27.
He said Biman Bangladesh will procure state-of-the-art aircraft like other countries.
About enhancing the country's airports' facilities, he said that the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be inaugurated by mid-September, 2023. "It will be of international standard and will provide services                        like airports in big                   countries including Heathrow Airport."
The runway of Osmani International Airport in Sylhet has also been extended and works on a new international airport is underway, said the State Minister, adding Cox's Bazar Airport is being developed to international standards to promote international tourism.
"We have brought some reforms in Biman. During Covid-19 pandemic, we have also earned BDT 273 crore even after paying off the debts of 2019," the State Minister said.
Meanwhile, RM Ubaidul Moktadir Chowdhury, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Faruque Hassan, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA); Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines; also spoke at the event. 
Senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Bangladesh High Commission in Canada             were also present on the occasion. 
More flights to Kathmandu 
Biman Bangladesh Airlines increased the number of weekly flights to Nepalese capital Kathmandu from March 28. 
The move follows growing number of passengers from Bangladesh to the Himalayan country.
From March 28, the national carrier has been operating five weekly flights instead of three, Anisur Rahman, Country Manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines in Nepal, said.
The flight departs from Dhaka on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, Anisur Rahman added.
He further mentioned, as the Covid-19 situation becomes normal day by day, the number of holidaymakers from Bangladesh to Nepal is growing exponentially.
Furthermore, no PCR test is required before boarding from Dhaka or after arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, he noted, adding, this is facilitating smooth travel between the two countries in the post-pandemic times.