Domestic airlines enjoyed increased demand during holidays

Dhaka: Domestic air travel went through a successful Eid season recently, with airlines enjoying an increased demand. Many preferred air travel over any other mean for a smoother and safer Eid journey, while visiting hometowns or domestic tourist destinations during the holidays.

Representatives of local airlines informed, Cox’s Bazar, Saidpur, and Jashore enjoyed the highest demand than any other domestic destination. Mostly all the tickets on the aforementioned routes were sold out.

However, airline officials claimed, the demand for tickets during Eid this year was lower than the last, possibly due to increased air travel cost in the inflated economy.

Another reason for the less demand this year compared to the last could be developed rail and road connectivity, as per airline officials. For instance, private airliners claimed, air traffic on Dhaka-Barisal route is almost zero due to Padma Bridge.

Also, to meet the increased demand, Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 13 additional flights during the Eid holidays. These flights were operated to Rajshahi, Saidpur, and Barishal. Additionally, Air Astra also added additional flights on Saidpur and Cox's Bazar routes.

Since US-Bangla, the largest private carrier, already operates a large number of flights across most of the routes, no additional flights were added during Eid.

A NOVOAIR official informed there was high demand for tickets to Saidpur, Jashore, and Rajshahi during Eid. They sold all the tickets on the routes.

An Air Astra representative claimed the airline operated two additional flights on Dhaka-Saidpur route, and three additional flights to Cox's Bazar after Eid.