Travellers flying
between the UK and Bangladesh are set to enjoy more frequent
flights and a greater choice of destinations after new air
services arrangements were agreed, Transport Minister Paul Clark
has announced.
Following recent negotiations in Dhaka, the number of flights
allowed between the two countries will more than treble from 10 to
31 services a week on each side. The new arrangements also allow
airlines from either country to operate services between anywhere
in Bangladesh and any UK airport. This replaces the existing
regime which only allowed flights between Heathrow, Manchester and Dhaka.
This move paves the way for direct flights to the UK from Sylhet,
the area in the north-east of Bangladesh from where many of the
UK's large Bangladeshi community originate. The new
arrangements also mean Biman Bangladeshi Airways will be free to
start a new service from Dakha to New York via Manchester, which
is expected to launch later this month.
Transport Minister Paul Clark said:
"This represents a significant step forward in aviation
relations between our two countries. Not only will it help deliver
wide economic and consumer benefits, but it will be especially
good news for the UK's large and vibrant
Bangladeshi community. With so many UK Bangladeshis having links
to Sylhet, the possibility of direct flights will be especially
welcome, and I would like to thank all who have worked in both
countries to make this possible."
Notes to Editors
1. No UK passenger airlines currently fly to Bangladesh.
British Airways used to operate three passenger services per week
to Dhaka but these were ended in March 2009. On the Bangladesh
side, Biman Bangladesh Airlines currently operates five services
per week between Dhaka and Heathrow, via Dubai and United Airways
(BD) Limited started operating two services per week between Dhaka
and Gatwick in November.
2. Highlights of the new arrangements are:
- agreement on a fully open Route Schedule, allowing the airlines
of both sides to operate from anywhere in Bangladesh to anywhere
in the UK (the previous Route Schedule only allowed services
between London/Manchester and Dhaka). This will enable direct
flights to the UK from Sylhet, as well as from other Bangladesh
cities such as Chittagong.
- an increase in services allowed, from seven/ten per week
(depending on aircraft type) to 31 per week, by aircraft of any
type, split 17 to London (for the Bangladesh side) or to Dhaka
(for the UK side) and 14 to other regional points in the UK (for
the Bangladesh side) or to other regional points in Bangladesh
(for the UK side); and
- an increase in fifth freedoms [1] allowed
and choice of points, giving the Bangladesh side fifths on 10
services per week via any two points in the Gulf and on three
services per week between Manchester and New York. The UK side
secured fifths on 10 services per week between any two points in
India and Dhaka, and on three services per week between Dhaka and
China including Hong Kong.
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[1] The right for UK airlines to set down and pick up passengers
and cargo in Dhaka originating from or bound for third countries
as part of a connected service. For example, London-Bombay-Dhaka
or London-Dhaka-Hong Kong.
Contacts:
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