Bangladesh-India airline passengers dropped to one-fourth

Although train services between Bangladesh and India have been suspended, air communication is still ongoing. However, due to the ongoing diplomatic crisis, the number of passengers going from Dhaka to Kolkata has dropped to one-fourth, and the number of flights has also decreased.

Kolkata International Airport officials said that the number of US-Bangla Airlines' Dhaka-Kolkata passengers and flights have dropped to almost one-fourth. Until July, 84 flights were being operated, but in November that number has come down to 24. Similarly, passenger transport on these flights has come down from 7,931 to 1,646 in the mentioned period.

Flights to Kolkata from Bangladesh have also decreased at almost the same rate. In July, Biman Bangladesh operated 59 Dhaka-Kolkata flights, which came down to 28 in November. Kolkata-bound Indigo flights from Dhaka was 62 in July, but in November it came down to 44.

Indian airline Air India Express has also canceled its plans to launch Kolkata-Dhaka flight services for the time being.

Experts say that fewer passengers are traveling due to the ongoing political instability and crisis in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi citizens are having trouble getting Indian visas due to the diplomatic instability between the two countries. On the other hand, Indians are also avoiding traveling to Bangladesh due to security concerns.

According to Kolkata Airport sources, Biman Bangladesh Airlines decided to operate one daily flight instead of two on August 10. On the other hand, US-Bangla Airlines has maintained one daily flight instead of three from August 17. Airlines are at risk of losses if at least 50 percent of passengers do not show up. As a result, concerns have also increased.

On the other hand, Air India Express had planned to launch a services from Kolkata to Dhaka via Chennai the winter last year. The company claims that this would have made it very easy for Bangladeshi citizens to travel for medical purposes. It would also have made it easier for tourists from South India to travel to Bangladesh. However, the plan has been put on hold due to the geopolitical instability in Bangladesh and India, especially the current situation in Bangladesh.