Direct flights between Dhaka and Manchester would be launched by January 2020. Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mohibul Haque made this comment while speaking at a meeting with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and British High Commissioner Robert C. Dixon at the Hotel Intercontinental in the city on Saturday.
The Secretary said that the Biman Bangladesh Airlines is now well equipped with modern aircrafts and this is possible for the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with her sincere interest.
“Our airport has all the latest technology aircraft of the world. The Prime Minister has already approved launching of flights to Manchester for the benefit of the expatriate Bangladeshis. All preparations for starting direct Dhaka-Manchester flights have already been completed. We will soon launch direct flights to some new routes to ensure Biman’s full potential,” he mentioned.
In response, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said, direct air connectivity to Manchester would be a very enjoyable and profitable route. This will benefit all Bangladeshi expatriates living in north-south England, including expatriate Bangladeshis living in Manchester.
“Bangladesh will be given all kinds of assistance needed to establish direct air communication in Manchester,” he said adding “the aircraft would be launched on the Dhaka-Manchester-New York route soon”.
He invited the secretary Md Mohibul Haque to visit Manchester as a guest of the Manchester City Council.
Among others, Managing Director of Hotel Intercontinental Md. Ayub Hossain, Joint Secretary of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Dr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council Abdul Jabbar, British High Commissioner First Secretary of Corporate Affairs of Dhaka Akhbar Japor, Manchester airport group corporate affairs director Adam Zapp and Manchester Business Development Agency Service Business Development Director Daniel Store were present at the meeting.