Dhaka-Rajshahi flights resume after 8yrs

Domestic flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Rajshahi-Dhaka route resumed today after eight years.

Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon inaugurated the flight by going to Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi from Dhaka along with 60 other passengers boarding a Dash 8-Q400s plane at 3:25pm.

The minister attended an inaugural reception at the VIP lounge and cut a ribbon and a cake to celebrate the event, reports our Rajshahi correspondent.

The minister said the flights from now on will reach Rajshahi from Dhaka at 3:00pm and return to Dhaka at 3:25pm thrice a week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

If we find a positive response, the flights would be increased for six days and cargo flights would be introduced, he added.

Junayed Ahmed Polok, information technology state minister accompanied the aviation minister while Rajshahi lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha and Rajshahi city Awami League general secretary Dablu Sarker attended the inauguration ceremony among others.

Menon later returned to Dhaka along with 40 passengers in the same flight.

The minister said, two Dash 8-Q400s aircrafts named as Moyurakkhi and Meghdut would be used for flights to Cox's Bazar, Jessore, Rajshahi, Sayedpur and Barisal.

Seat fares on Rajshahi-Dhaka route would be Tk 3500 per seat, but as a promotional offer, the ticket fares would be Tk 2700 for one month.

Due to various reasons including shortage of aircraft and losses, Biman authorities suspended domestic flights on Rajshahi-Dhaka route in February 2007.