Biman to operate a special Dhaka-Rome flight on Oct 28

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate a special flight from Dhaka to Rome on October 28.

Mokabbir Hossain, Managing Director and CEO of the national flag carrier, said this through a WhatsApp message.

The national airliner came up with the decision as the European country has withdrawn a flight embargo for Bangladeshis with valid stay permits last week.

Passengers have been requested to contact Biman sales counter for booking, said the Biman MD.

On October 12, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said Italy won't allow Bangladeshi citizens to enter the European country till December 31, due to "previous behaviour" and fear of a possible second wave of Covid-19.

But after two days he said Italy has withdrawn a flight embargo for Bangladeshis with valid stay permits. Those whose permits have expired will have to apply for visa, he added.

Apart from Biman, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates have recently started carrying Bangladeshi passengers to Italy.

Among the four airlines, only Biman will operate direct flights from Dhaka to Rome.

Around 15,000 people are waiting to return to the European country at present.

Hridoy Ahmed, admin, Italy Help Centre -- a platform of Italy-bound Bangladeshi expatriate workers -- told The Daily Star that although the airlines have started flights to Italy, many of the 15,000 Bangladeshi expatriates won't be able to return as validity of their resident permit has already expired.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, air operators will be able to carry maximum 260 passengers in wide-bodied aircrafts.