Biman Bangladesh Airlines will resume flights from Manchester airport to Bangladesh this weekend.
The airline will operate twice-weekly services to Dhaka and Sylhet from December 26 until March 28, with flights taking place on Fridays and Mondays from December 30.
The flights will be operated by a B787 Dreamliner aircraft configured with business and economy class cabins. The aircraft will feature IFE with a range of movies, TV, music and games, and dining menus will reflect “Bangladeshi culture with western flare”.
Fares start from £680 for return economy flights, and £1,796 for business class.
This will come as welcome news to the 55,000 people who travel to both Bangladeshi cities from Manchester airport’s catchment area every year. An additional 600,000 people travel to Biman’s onward network.
Karen Smart, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said:
“There has been significant demand for a direct service to Bangladesh for many years, so when the route returned in 2019 it was greatly received. It is therefore really positive news to see the route return as the aviation sector begins its road to recovery.
“Manchester Airport is the UK’s gateway to the North of England and within our catchment area there are many long-standing Bangladeshi communities for whom this will make a massive difference.
“There is also a great number of northern companies who trade with Bangladesh, and many more with a desire to do so, meaning this route is a real boost for them and will unlock and enable many business opportunities. I look forward to working with the team at Biman Bangladesh and making the route a success.”
Kazi Ziaul Hasan, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Manchester, added:
“The resumption of direct flights by Bangladesh Biman is a significant and firm step on the part of Bangladesh’s national carrier in the service sector. This direct flight will re-energise the movement of people, infuse dynamism in trade and business opportunities. As Bangladesh graduates to developing country status and the size as well as resilience of the economy augments, trade and investment opportunities are enormous.
“The Assistant High Commission registers its profound appreciation to concerned authorities in Manchester for their cordial role in facilitating the resumption of flight operation by Biman Bangladesh in Sylhet-Manchester sector.
“The Biman Bangladesh founded by the Father of our Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972, is gradually extending its reach and services to become a leading global airline, as envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the national flag carrier airline of Bangladesh, and operates flights from its main hub at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka as well as from its secondary hubs Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.
