After 5-year gap, Biman resumes Dhaka-Delhi direct flight

Dhaka (TAN): Bangladesh’s flagship airline Biman resumed its nonstop flight services between Dhaka and India’s capital Delhi on Tuesday.

State minister for civil aviation and tourism Md. Mahbub Ali inaugurated the service in Dhaka before the maiden flight departed Hajrat Shahjalal International Airport for Delhi with 152 passengers.

He said in Bengali: “I’m happy that flights between Dhaka and Delhi have resumed after being unavailable for the past few years. The direct service will now make business, tourism, and access to education and medical facilities between the two neighbouring countries easier and more comfortable.”

Biman Bangladesh will initially operate three flights a week on this route on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The carrier will deploy its Boeing 737-800 with 162 seats to serve the route.

While the nonstop flight will take off from Dhaka at 1500 hours, landing in Delhi at 1720 hours, local time, the return flight will depart Delhi at 1820 hours and arrive in Dhaka at 2120 hours, local time.

Return airfares on this route cost approximately BDT 24,000 for economy and BDT 65,000 for business class.

Till recently, Jet Airways operated the only direct flight between New Delhi and Dhaka. But the cash-strapped airline was forced to ground all its aircraft. Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet operated New Delhi-Dhaka flights via Kolkata.