Air passenger numbers fall on Jashore, Barishal routes after Padma Bridge opening

Dhaka: Air travellers numbers from Dhaka to Jashore and Barishal have fallen significantly as southbound people are opting to travel by road following the opening of Padma Bridge in late June.

As a result, the three local airlines of our country are suffering from huge losses.

This has even made NOVOAIR, one of the country’s private carriers, to announce temporary suspension of its flights to Barishal from August 1.

To attract more passengers, the airlines have significantly lowered air ticket prices on the two most sought-after domestic routes. However, reports claim the move is not bearing any fruit.

Biman's airfare on Dhaka-Jashore route is now BDT 3,200 and BDT 3000 on Dhaka-Barisal route. Earlier, the airfare was BDT 3,500 BDT Tk 3,700, respectively.

On the other hand, US-Bangla Airlines is now charging around BDT 3,500 on Dhaka-Barishal route and BDT 3,700 on Dhaka-Jashore, compared to the earlier fair of BDT 4,500 to BDT 5,000.

Also, according to reports, Biman will be bringing down its flight frequency to Barishal due to the poor passenger volume.

The airline will now operate only three flights a week instead of the earlier seven flights a week.

The months of June-July are considered off-season for air travel anyway. On top of it, travellers are enjoying using Padma Bridge, since its opening, as it saves them both time and money, said Kamrul Islam, General Manager-Public Relations of US-Bangla Airlines.

Reports further mentioned one-third of US-Bangla’s flights on the routes remain empty after the inauguration of the Padma bridge.

However, Kamrul Islam noted the airline is still operating six daily flights to Jashore and two daily flights to Barishal.