With a special focus on facilitating the transporting Bangladeshis residing in various Canadian cities, Biman Bangladesh Airlines plans to fly to different cities of Canada.
As an initial step, Biman authority has informed the Canadian High Commissioner in Bangladesh about the plan to sign an agreement with Air Canada.
As an initial step, Biman has initiated discussions with Air Canada for a potential agreement to collaborate in this endeavor.
In a recent development, Mostafa Kamal Uddin, Chairman of the Board of Directors and former Senior Secretary of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, along with Shafiul Azim, Managing Director and CEO of Biman, met with Lilly Nicholls, the Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, at Biman’s headquarters, Balaka, on Monday.
The discussions primarily centered on the prospect of code-sharing arrangements with Air Canada.
Estimates from 2016 suggest that there are currently approximately 100,000 Bangladeshi students and immigrants in Canada, mainly concentrated in cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, and Alberta. Biman’s objective is to establish a partnership that enables the seamless transportation of Bangladeshis to these cities via Air Canada flights departing from Toronto.
TaheraKhandkar, Biman's General Manager of Public Relations, released a statement on Tuesday outlining the key points discussed during the courtesy meeting with the Canadian high commissioner. The discussions encompassed potential avenues for air traffic between Canada and Bangladesh, as well as the proposed code-sharing agreement with Air Canada.
Nicholls expressed her view that Biman’s Dhaka-Toronto flight has played a pivotal role in enhancing communication between the two countries. The growing passenger numbers on this route have dispelled doubts about its viability.
Mustafa Kamal Uddin attributed the success of the Dhaka-Toronto flight to the collaboration between the Prime Minister and the Canadian High Commission.
He highlighted that this route has evolved into one of the most lucrative for the airline, with discussions underway to increase flight frequencies. The establishment of this route has not only streamlined transit complexities but has also fostered the expansion of education and trade through improved connectivity between the two friendly nations. Furthermore, passengers from neighboring countries have also benefited from this improved travel option.
Shafiul Azim underscored the longstanding interline communication between Biman and Canada dating back to 1999.
He expressed the airline’s desire to enhance and expand this cooperation. If the proposed code-sharing agreement with Air Canada comes to fruition, both airlines, as well as passengers, are set to gain. Considering the rising demand from passengers, Biman is also contemplating an increase in flight frequencies to meet the growing needs of travelers.