Biman Bangladesh New York flight remained suspended since 2006. But it will be able to resume direct NY flights if the status of the Biman is raised to category-1.
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are virtually continuing pre-audit technical assessment that had started from July this year.
Unless CAAB obtains the positive report from FAA, it will not be possible to resume operation of flight to the United States of America (USA).
Following this the FAA authorities concerned will come for final audit based on which the country's aviation sector is likely to get safety rating to category-1 from the current category-2.
CAAB official said, the final audit report is vital to restore Dhaka–New York direct flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
CAAB director (Flight Safety) Ziaul Kabir told Bangladesh Post, "Virtually we are continuing our work. Based on their assessments we are giving them out feedback. It's a total virtual 640 hours pre audit, of which we have had completed 140 hours. This meeting will access capacities in 32 categories on aviation legislations, flight operations, airworthiness and personnel licensing."
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 4 during a press briefing on her UNGA session said, “Our government is working to restore the flight operation between Bangladesh and the United States of America (USA). As we have added the aircraft with the latest technology to our fleet, we are now able to fly longer routes.”
Speaking at a press conference at Hotel Lotte New York Palace, Foreign Minister AKM Abdul Momen during his visit for UNGA said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had arrived in New York on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. It is a great honor for the Prime Minister and his entourage to arrive in New York on a Bangladeshi state flag carrier. This has created new expectations, the Dhaka-New York flight will be launched again."
Biman Bangladesh Airlines now has six Boeing Dreamliner on its fleet. Prime Minister took one of the Dreamliners to join the recently concluded 76th UNGA session.
The latest technology aircraft Dreamliner has 271-seat Boeing 787-8, has been designed as 20 percent fuel efficient carrier compared to the other aircraft.
The airliner has the capacity to fly 16 hours nonstop with an average speed of 650 miles per hour.
It provides its passengers with WiFi services at a height of 43,000 feet, allowing passengers to browse the internet or connect with their friends and family at any end of the world.
On the other hand, during the last winter session, the National Flag Carrier was supposed to resume flight operation on Japan and Toronto route under code share agreement, which also raises the hope of passenger carrying to the USA.
However, following the stagnated situation the authorities could not resume flight operations on those routes.
Biman MD and CEO Dr. Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal told Bangladesh Post, “Due to pandemic we are not able to operate flight there. Following the approval of Japanese authorities soon we will be able to operate flight there. On the other hand, Canada flight operation will start as soon as General Sales Agents are appointed there. Following that a delegation will come to visit our latest development.”
Bangladesh Biman has been out of flight operation service in the United States for more than decades. Later, on September 30, 2020, the Government of Bangladesh and the United States Government formally signed the Aviation Agreement. The flight operation remained closed even after the agreement due to Covid-19 pandemic.
On October 2, 2020, the then senior secretary of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Md Muhibul Haque and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R. Miller signed a bilateral agreement that will help the country's national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines and other private air carriers to operate infinite passenger and cargo direct flights between Dhaka and NY.
