Bangladesh and Burma to Resume Direct Air Link

Dhaka: Bangladesh and Burma will resume direct air links soon, after flights have been stopped for more than four years, according to an official from Bangladesh's commerce ministry.

Bangladesh airline Biman, the only airline that had been flying between Dhaka and Rangoon, stopped its flights before the end of 2006 due to financial losses, and since then travelers from both countries have to transit through the Bangkok airport.

Bangladesh and Burma are now working to resume the direct air link that will save much time and costs for travelers between the two countries without requiring any medium transit, he said.

The source also said the commerce ministry has already requested its government restore direct air links to Burma in order to boost bilateral trade, including the border trade between the two countries.

Burma is the third largest importer of Bangladesh pharmaceuticals and the re-opening of direct air links between the two countries will help to boost bilateral trade as well as border trade, added the source.

Burma has signed aviation accords with 43 countries and regions around the world since 1949.

Flights from 14 foreign airlines are now flying to Rangoon in Burma, including Air China, China Southern Airline, Indian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Thai Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Phuket Airline, Malaysian Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Silk Air, Qatar Airways, and Jetstar Asia.