The authorities concerned are moving on to resume flights on the Dhaka- New York route.
A three- member aviation security team, with a view to launching the flights, arrived in Dhaka two days back and they will leave today (Wednesday).
On arrival they inspected the overall security measures at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. They were accompanied by two more US embassy officials from Dhaka along with other aviation officials.
Based on their investigation report, an audit team will soon visit the HSIA to verify the latest development. Following their approval report Bangladesh will graduate to Category one position. This will allow the national flag carrier to fly to new York again.
Biman Managing Director and CEO Dr. Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal said, "It has now been a demand of time. As five members of the inspecting committee are observing our security measures, I hope, they will give a good report following which the final audit team will come. We are ready with our long haul aircraft."
"Not only this, once we are ready to fly following the Category- 1 position, we will need more aircraft in the coming days, on which we are calculating our plan. We have made an initial plan of how many flights will be operated there, what will be our capacity, and others," he added.
The country’s aviation industry still remains at the Category-2 position based on the FAA ratings. However, at present, as the Biman Bangladesh Airlines has purchased new aircraft and developed its security system, the authorities concerned are very much hopeful of upgrading the category.
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) chairman Air Vice Marshal Mofidur Rahman told this correspondent, "A security team from the United States had arrived to launch the Dhaka-New York flight. We had a meeting with them. They will visit different areas of the airport till March 2. Our airport is more modern than before. The quality of security has improved a lot. Hopefully, as per the demand of the government soon we will be able to start the Dhaka-New York flight."
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 4 during a press briefing on her UNGA session said, “Our government is working to restore the flight operation between Bangladesh and the United States of America (USA). As we have added the aircraft with the latest technology to our fleet, we are now able to fly longer routes.”
On October 2, 2020, the then senior secretary of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Md Muhibul Haque and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R. Miller signed a bilateral agreement that will help the country's national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines and other private air carriers operate infinite passenger and cargo direct flights between Dhaka and NY.
Bangladesh Biman has been out of flight operation service in the United States for more than decades. Later, on September 30, 2020, the Government of Bangladesh and the United States Government formally signed the Aviation Agreement. The flight operation remained closed even after the agreement due to Covid-19 pandemic.