Bangladesh to resume air connectivity with India from October 28

Bangladesh is going to resume its air connectivity with India from October 28 under ‘air bubble’ arrangement, after nearly eight months of flight suspension amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three Bangladeshi airlines — Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, and Novo Air — will initially operate 28 flights a week while five Indian carriers — Air India, Vistara, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoAir — will run the same number of flights a week, reports BSS citing the foreign ministry of Bangladesh.

Referring to the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) chairman, the foreign ministry said Biman is scheduled to operate flights on Dhaka-Delhi-Dhaka and Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka routes, US-Bangla Airlines on Dhaka-Chennai, and Novo Air on Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka route.

According to CAAB, the ministry said five Indian airlines will operate flights on Dhaka-Delhi-Dhaka, Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka, Dhaka-Chennai-Dhaka, and Dhaka-Mumbai-Dhaka routes.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami expressed his happiness over the decision.

“Delighted that air bubble is to start from October 28, with 28 flights a week linking Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai with Dhaka by 5 Indian and 3 Bangladeshi carriers,” he tweeted.

On October 9, the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh announced the resumption of online visa application services for Bangladesh citizens.

For now, visas will be provided in nine categories including medical, business, employment, journalists, diplomatic personnel, officials, UN officials, and UN diplomats, said the Bangladesh foreign ministry.