‘Dhaka-Narita direct flights to boost BD-Japan trade'

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Md. Mahbub Ali said the launch of Biman's Dhaka-Narita (Tokyo) direct flight will enhance trade and relations between the two countries.

He said, "Direct air connectivity between the two countries will play an important role in making the existing bilateral relations more effective and expanding."

The state minister said this while speaking at the opening ceremony of Dhaka-Narita flight at Hotel Welco Narita today.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines and MGH Group of Bangladesh jointly organized the event.

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines Dreamliner Boeing 787 Gangchil landed on the taxiway of Narita International Airport after 17 years on Saturday, with Biman's first direct flight BG 0376 on the Dhaka-Narita route arriving here.

'Bangladesh and Japan are thinking of upgrading the relationship from 'Comprehensive Partnership' to 'Strategic Level' in the near future,' he added.  He said that through this continuous air connectivity, opportunities for economic and technical cooperation, trade and investment, education, tourism, culture and sports activities will increase.

The state minister said that the Narita flight is a gift from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladeshi diaspora.

Ali said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country has increased almost threefold in the last 13 years.

In his speech, Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Shahabuddin said, "I believe that with the increase in exchange volume, economic activities will also increase rapidly, which will create an equally favorable situation for both Japan and Bangladesh."

Biman Bangladesh Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim said Biman hopes to make the new route profitable by attracting passengers from Nepal, Bhutan and neighboring northeastern states of India.

He added that Biman already offers attractive packages with higher baggage weight on its Narita route.

Among others, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Biman Mustafa Kamal and President and CEO of Narita International Airport Corporation, Akihiko Tamura, spoke at the event.

The national flag carrier will operate three weekly flights with Dreamliner 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. Flights will depart from Dhaka every Friday, Monday and Wednesday and from Narita every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday.