Biman Bangladesh and Air Baltic are both set to resume flights to Manchester airport next year.
The Bangladeshi flag carrier will operate three flights per week between Manchester and Dhaka from January 4, using a two-class B787 Dreamliner aircraft. The service will route via the eastern city of Sylhet on its return from Manchester.
Biman last operated from Manchester airport in 2012, when it offered a Dhaka-Manchester-New York service.
Commenting on the news, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said:
“A direct connection between Manchester and Bangladesh will bring many trade, cultural and educational benefits and as well as being hugely valued by the many families of Bangladesh heritage living in Greater Manchester and across the North.
“I intend to keep building Greater Manchester’s relationship with Bangladesh over the coming years so our friends from Biman can rest assured we will do all we can to promote and support this vital route.”
Meanwhile Air Baltic is also returning to Manchester in 2020, with four flights per week from the Latvian capital Riga commencing on March 29.
According to industry website routesonline.com, Air Baltic last served the route in 2010.
“Riga is a dynamic city and a key business centre of the Baltic states and has a lot to offer to both business and leisure travellers,” said Martin Gauss, Air Baltic’s CEO.
“It is also a very convenient transfer point with excellent connections within our wide route network. Our passengers will be able to travel to both cities for very attractive prices in the economy or our full-service business class on the new and comfortable Airbus A220-300 aircraft.”
Ryanair also operates flights on the Manchester-Riga route.
