Biman to resume Dhaka-Manchester flights Jul 1, restoring key UK link

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided to resume flights on the suspended Dhaka–Sylhet–Manchester route, with operations set to restart from Jul 1.

The flag carrier on Monday said preparations were under way to relaunch the route after the completion of the Hajj operations, citing strong passenger demand and longstanding expectations from expatriate Bangladeshis.

Initially, two weekly flights will operate on the route.

The flights will depart Dhaka every Tuesday and Saturday, travelling via Sylhet before heading to Manchester.

The outbound flight will leave Dhaka at 10:55am local time, depart Sylhet at 12:50pm, and arrive in Manchester at 10:55pm local time.

On the return leg, flights will leave Manchester at 9pm local time and reach Sylhet at 11:50am the following day, before landing in Dhaka at 1:30pm.

Biman said the route had been suspended from Mar 1 to maintain service continuity and operational stability while ensuring optimal utilisation of its limited fleet.

“The decision to relaunch this important international route has been taken with government guidance and the overall support of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism,” Biman said in a statement.

Passengers have been advised to contact nearby Biman sales centres, IATA-approved travel agencies, the airline’s call centre (13636 or +88096109-13636), or visit its website for ticket bookings and more details.

The suspension of the Manchester route was first announced in January, triggering protests among expatriate communities in the United Kingdom and drawing discussion in the British parliament.

On Jan 15, British MP Paul Waugh told the House of Commons that British-Bangladeshi communities in Rochdale, the wider North West, as well as Scotland and the Midlands, relied heavily on direct flights between Manchester and Sylhet.

Biman had initially announced on Jan 4 that flights would be suspended from Feb 1, later postponing the decision by a month.

At the time, the airline cited aircraft shortages, Hajj operations, long-term maintenance requirements, and the need to optimise network efficiency as reasons for the suspension.