US-Bangla starts direct flights to China today

US-Bangla Airlines is set to become the first Bangladeshi carrier to traverse Chinese airspace, marking the start of direct flights.

A Boeing 737-800 carrying 164 passengers is scheduled to leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:10pm for Guangzhou, one of the most important cities in the country's eastern region.

The flight will take around 3 hours and 15 minutes, said CEO Imran Asif.

There will be six such flights: three will leave for the Chinese city on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and three will make the return trip on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, said the airline's top boss. 

The minimum one-way fare has been fixed at Tk 30,408 while the return Tk 39,442.

Asked, Imran said the flights would support Bangladesh's businesses in a new way and the airline would offer unique facilities.

Only China Southern Airlines now operates direct flights on the Dhaka-Guangzhou route.

Guangzhou will be the eighth international destination of US-Bangla Airlines.

The current ones are Muscat, Doha, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Kolkata. It also runs flights to all seven domestic destinations.

 Currently, the company owns four Boeing 737-800s and three Dash8-Q400s. Three more aircraft of each model will be added to its fleet this year.