Cabinet approves draft deal on Dhaka-Vienna air connectivity

The Cabinet has approved the draft of an air services agreement to be signed with Austria for direct flight operations between Dhaka and Vienna.

The approval came from the weekly Cabinet meeting held virtually with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. The PM joined the meeting through a videoconference Ganabhaban, while other cabinet members joined from the secretariat, reports UNB.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said the direct flight operation between Dhaka and Vienna would boost trade, business and labour market and cooperation in industrial, health and defence sectors the two countries.

"Besides, the air communication with other European countries will be easier,” the cabinet secretary added.

There are headquarters of some international agencies in Vienna, Austria’s capital. So, this air connectivity is important for Bangladesh, he said.

The agreement titled ‘Air services agreement between the Austrian Federal Government and the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh’ has been framed following the standards of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the secretary said.

According to the proposed agreement, the number of passenger and cargo flights can be fixed through negotiation between the countries and the air agencies nominated by two countries can operate seven passenger and cargo flights a week under an MoU to be inked on the signing date of the main agreement, he added.