From now on Bangladeshi nationals will be able to obtain Malaysian visa on arrival, a foreign ministry press release said.
The Malaysian authorities have drawn up a list of 27 countries whose citizens will be required to obtain visa prior to their departure for Malaysia.
"Bangladesh has been excluded from this list, whereas it includes many Saarc, Commonwealth and African countries," the press release said.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who is also in charge of the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, said, "This is good news. However, all of us must be careful that we don't misuse this unique gesture by the friendly Malaysian government.”
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Best Air Flies to Colombo, Male
Best Air, the country's third private airliner, would start its direct flights on two new international routes --Colombo and Male-- from tomorrow (Monday). "This is for the first time in Bangladesh that a private airline has introduced direct flights to Colombo and Male," M Haider Uzzaman, Chairman of the Best Air, told a press briefing in Dhaka.
"Best Air would launch its direct flight between Dhaka-Colombo and Dhaka-Male from July 28," he said.
"We have already received the permission from Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority and we will start our operation ahead of the SAARC summit," Haider Uzzaman said.
"Initially the lone Boeing 737-200, already in operation on Dhaka-Bangkok route, will be pressed on Dhaka-Colombo and Colombo-Male routes," the Best Air chairman said.
Director of Administration and HR Group Captain (Retd) M Alamgir, Director of the Regulatory Affairs Ali Reza Khan, Head of Engineering Department Jalaluddin Ahmed and Director of Marketing and Sales Farhad Hossain were present at the press briefing.
Haider Uzzaman said several thousands of Sri Lankan citizens are now working at the country's export processing zones and ready-made garments in Bangladesh.
Besides, several hundreds of students of the country are studying at several educational institutions, including the University of Science and Technology of Chittagong.
"Since there are no direct flights between Dhaka and Colombo, they have to come to Bangladesh via Bangkok or Singapore. Best Air's direct flight between Dhaka and Colombo appears to be as a blessing for the expatriate Sri Lankans living in Bangladesh," he said.
The Best Air Chairman also said several thousands of Bangladeshi nationals are now working in different sectors of Maldives. The Dhaka-Male flight of the Best Air will carry great significance for these expatriate Bangladeshis," he observed.
Best Air will operate its direct flights between Zia International Airport of Dhaka and Bandarnayeke International Airport of Colombo on Friday and Monday every week. The two-way flights between Dhaka and Colombo will cost US$800, while the two-way flights between Dhaka and Male will cost US$860. The Best Air's aircraft will directly reach Colombo and then left Colombo for Male.
The carrier, which launched its operation on the domestic route in the mid-January this year with a single Boeing 737-200, launched its first international operations on Dhaka-Bangkok route a month earlier.
The carrier is going to start the second and third international flights at a time when airlines across the world are cutting down their flights in the face of higher fuel costs.
Best Aviation started its journey in 1999 as helicopter operator and then started its operation as a Freighter Airline in 2000. It obtained license in 2006 from the Civil Aviation Authority to operate passenger service in the international and domestic sectors. The company launched its passenger fleet with Boeing 737-200, which was the first in Bangladesh.
Best Air, one of the five local carriers, came to share a slice of about 8 per cent growth in aviation industry, started its operation on the country's busiest domestic Dhaka-Chittagong route on January 14 this year with a single Boeing 737-200, but suspended its flights later to avoid losses against the backdrop of poor traffic and rising fuel costs.
It operates flight to Bangkok four days a week with the same Boeing.
The Best Air has already got the permissions to operate flights to Kolkata, Chennai, Malaysia, Kunming, Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait. The aviation industry in Bangladesh has marked a boom with the launch of three private airlines in the last one year. Yet another is set to start commercial flights next month.
Source: The New Nation Dated :27-07-2008
"Best Air would launch its direct flight between Dhaka-Colombo and Dhaka-Male from July 28," he said.
"We have already received the permission from Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority and we will start our operation ahead of the SAARC summit," Haider Uzzaman said.
"Initially the lone Boeing 737-200, already in operation on Dhaka-Bangkok route, will be pressed on Dhaka-Colombo and Colombo-Male routes," the Best Air chairman said.
Director of Administration and HR Group Captain (Retd) M Alamgir, Director of the Regulatory Affairs Ali Reza Khan, Head of Engineering Department Jalaluddin Ahmed and Director of Marketing and Sales Farhad Hossain were present at the press briefing.
Haider Uzzaman said several thousands of Sri Lankan citizens are now working at the country's export processing zones and ready-made garments in Bangladesh.
Besides, several hundreds of students of the country are studying at several educational institutions, including the University of Science and Technology of Chittagong.
"Since there are no direct flights between Dhaka and Colombo, they have to come to Bangladesh via Bangkok or Singapore. Best Air's direct flight between Dhaka and Colombo appears to be as a blessing for the expatriate Sri Lankans living in Bangladesh," he said.
The Best Air Chairman also said several thousands of Bangladeshi nationals are now working in different sectors of Maldives. The Dhaka-Male flight of the Best Air will carry great significance for these expatriate Bangladeshis," he observed.
Best Air will operate its direct flights between Zia International Airport of Dhaka and Bandarnayeke International Airport of Colombo on Friday and Monday every week. The two-way flights between Dhaka and Colombo will cost US$800, while the two-way flights between Dhaka and Male will cost US$860. The Best Air's aircraft will directly reach Colombo and then left Colombo for Male.
The carrier, which launched its operation on the domestic route in the mid-January this year with a single Boeing 737-200, launched its first international operations on Dhaka-Bangkok route a month earlier.
The carrier is going to start the second and third international flights at a time when airlines across the world are cutting down their flights in the face of higher fuel costs.
Best Aviation started its journey in 1999 as helicopter operator and then started its operation as a Freighter Airline in 2000. It obtained license in 2006 from the Civil Aviation Authority to operate passenger service in the international and domestic sectors. The company launched its passenger fleet with Boeing 737-200, which was the first in Bangladesh.
Best Air, one of the five local carriers, came to share a slice of about 8 per cent growth in aviation industry, started its operation on the country's busiest domestic Dhaka-Chittagong route on January 14 this year with a single Boeing 737-200, but suspended its flights later to avoid losses against the backdrop of poor traffic and rising fuel costs.
It operates flight to Bangkok four days a week with the same Boeing.
The Best Air has already got the permissions to operate flights to Kolkata, Chennai, Malaysia, Kunming, Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait. The aviation industry in Bangladesh has marked a boom with the launch of three private airlines in the last one year. Yet another is set to start commercial flights next month.
Source: The New Nation Dated :27-07-2008
GMG may resume flights on suspended routes from next month
The GMG Airlines is working to resume flights from next month on some now-suspended international routes, an official said Saturday, reports UNB. The airline was forced to suspend flights to Bangkok, Dubai, Kathmandu and New Delhi after the price of jet fuel rose by 30 per cent last month.
GMG spokesman ATM Nazrul Islam told the news agency that a decision would come soon.
"Yes, we are thinking about the resumption of the suspended routes from next month," said the spokesman of the country's first and biggest private airline.
He said an evaluation committee was looking for the best possible options to restart the routes.
"The committee is examining the overall situation," he said.
Source: The financial Express Dated 27-07-2008
GMG spokesman ATM Nazrul Islam told the news agency that a decision would come soon.
"Yes, we are thinking about the resumption of the suspended routes from next month," said the spokesman of the country's first and biggest private airline.
He said an evaluation committee was looking for the best possible options to restart the routes.
"The committee is examining the overall situation," he said.
Source: The financial Express Dated 27-07-2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Earnings from Tourism Industry of Bangladesh
The foreign currency earnings from tourism and related services has largely been outstripped by money spent by Bangladeshi travellers abroad as revealed by a recent media report. Impressive growth in foreign tourist visits even could not hold back the real drain on foreign exchange earnings, official statistics suggest. The number of outbound Bangladeshi travellers has doubled in seven years and they spend more generously abroad than foreign tourists coming to our country. Foreign tourist arrival is growing, but at a slower pace than Bangladeshis going abroad. A study shows, about 1.13 lakh Bangladeshi travellers went abroad in 2000 and their number more than doubled to 2.33 lakh in 2007.
The outbound tourists spent Tk 1,072 crore in foreign exchange abroad in 2007 for tourism purposes. On the other hand, the country's earnings from tourism and related services was about Tk 526 crore in foreign currency. It is rather difficult to have accurate and authentic information on tourism once the national tourism authority comes into being. In fact, the overall growth in the tourism sector was impressive in 2007 despite political uncertainty and major natural disasters like floods and cyclone.
Domestic tourism also grew significantly with an increasing number of people travelling to different natural and archaeological sites, private tour operators say. Cox's Bazar, Teknaf, St. Martin's Island, Kuakata beach, the mangrove forest Sundarbans, archaeological sites and places and places of pilgrimage attracted most of travellers from both home and abroad. According to the global tourism body's index, Bangladesh ranks 120 out of 124 member countries. Efforts must
be there at all levels - private and public - to boost tourism as the World Tourism Organisation predicts that global tourism industry will benefit from more than one billion tourists by 2010 and 1.6 billion by 2020. This will give tourism the status of the number one industry globally.
Reported on The New Nation 2008-05-12
The outbound tourists spent Tk 1,072 crore in foreign exchange abroad in 2007 for tourism purposes. On the other hand, the country's earnings from tourism and related services was about Tk 526 crore in foreign currency. It is rather difficult to have accurate and authentic information on tourism once the national tourism authority comes into being. In fact, the overall growth in the tourism sector was impressive in 2007 despite political uncertainty and major natural disasters like floods and cyclone.
Domestic tourism also grew significantly with an increasing number of people travelling to different natural and archaeological sites, private tour operators say. Cox's Bazar, Teknaf, St. Martin's Island, Kuakata beach, the mangrove forest Sundarbans, archaeological sites and places and places of pilgrimage attracted most of travellers from both home and abroad. According to the global tourism body's index, Bangladesh ranks 120 out of 124 member countries. Efforts must
be there at all levels - private and public - to boost tourism as the World Tourism Organisation predicts that global tourism industry will benefit from more than one billion tourists by 2010 and 1.6 billion by 2020. This will give tourism the status of the number one industry globally.
Reported on The New Nation 2008-05-12
Best Air publishes in-flight Magazine
In a laudable move, Best Air, the second private airline to go international, has published in-flight magazine "Destination Bangladesh." Considering that Best Air is serving just one international destination at this moment, the airline's move to publish such an in-flight magazine is indeed praiseworthy. As the issue is on Pahela Baishakh, the cover features details of a traditional hand fan of Bangladesh while on the inside there are photos of a woman selling glass bangles as are on children having their face painted and drum cart toys. In the 'Chairman's Message' M. Haider Uzzaman, Chairman, Best Air speaks of his passion to deliver the best of service and invites the feedback from the passengers directly on his e-mail.
There are write-ups accompanied by photographs on Cox's Bazar titled 'The longest sea beach' with an appeal to vote to include it in the New7Wonders of Nature and 'Fly Bangkok' giving prominence to sights to visit in the Thai capital as well as including other useful information. Best Air Holidays promotes Hill Tracts Indigenous Culture Tour. Life Style includes tips on gizmos and beauty tips. Not to be overlooked is the 'Taste the Best of Thailand.
There are also sections Best Air SMS Alert for passengers, information on the airline, the aircraft and the addresses of its offices in Bangladesh and abroad. Though well-printed, the seat plan diagram needs an improvement.
Reported by The Independent -2008-07-22
There are write-ups accompanied by photographs on Cox's Bazar titled 'The longest sea beach' with an appeal to vote to include it in the New7Wonders of Nature and 'Fly Bangkok' giving prominence to sights to visit in the Thai capital as well as including other useful information. Best Air Holidays promotes Hill Tracts Indigenous Culture Tour. Life Style includes tips on gizmos and beauty tips. Not to be overlooked is the 'Taste the Best of Thailand.
There are also sections Best Air SMS Alert for passengers, information on the airline, the aircraft and the addresses of its offices in Bangladesh and abroad. Though well-printed, the seat plan diagram needs an improvement.
Reported by The Independent -2008-07-22
Kingfisher plans to operate Flights to Bangladesh
Kingfisher Airlines, a major private airline in India, is planning to launch its flights to Bangladesh by October this year, sources at the aviation industry said. It will initially operate its aircraft to two destinations in Bangladesh. Kingfisher has taken necessary preparations including hiring of local manpower to launch the flights from Kolkata to Dhaka and Chittagong said a senior official who is working with the local office at Banani in the city told the reporter last week. Kingfisher, a brand of United Breweries, mainly popular for liquor and beverage industry in India, launched its aviation business in India in 2005. Vijay Mullaya, UB Chairman and also a liquor baron in India, has around 55 aircraft mostly Airbus.
Local office sources said the Kingfisher airline is likely to operate two flights daily, one in the morning and another in the evening, between Kolkata and Dhaka from October. For the Kolkata-Chittagong route, Kingfisher has planned three flights a week. At present, Air India and India's another private sector airline Jet Air operate flights in Dhaka-Kolkata route. Besides, Indian government-owned Air India's economy carrier Air India Express announced that it would operate six flights a week from Dhaka to Kolkata from July 20. Among the Bangladeshi carriers, Biman Bangladesh, GMG Airlines operate flights between Kolkata and Dhaka while United Airways, a venture by UK-based expatriates, is going to fly to Kolkata from the end of this month.
Nazrul Islam, an official of private GMG Airlines, said operating of more Indian carriers in the routes might intensify competition but that would not be a threat for Bangladeshi airlines. 'If Bangladeshi airlines can ensure quality services for their passengers, no newcomer is a threat to them,' said the executive of GMG that has interline agreement with Kingfisher. Aviation industry people predicted that Kingfisher might have eye on the passengers who fly from Dhaka to middle-east and western destinations.
Source : The Independent 2008-07-22
Local office sources said the Kingfisher airline is likely to operate two flights daily, one in the morning and another in the evening, between Kolkata and Dhaka from October. For the Kolkata-Chittagong route, Kingfisher has planned three flights a week. At present, Air India and India's another private sector airline Jet Air operate flights in Dhaka-Kolkata route. Besides, Indian government-owned Air India's economy carrier Air India Express announced that it would operate six flights a week from Dhaka to Kolkata from July 20. Among the Bangladeshi carriers, Biman Bangladesh, GMG Airlines operate flights between Kolkata and Dhaka while United Airways, a venture by UK-based expatriates, is going to fly to Kolkata from the end of this month.
Nazrul Islam, an official of private GMG Airlines, said operating of more Indian carriers in the routes might intensify competition but that would not be a threat for Bangladeshi airlines. 'If Bangladeshi airlines can ensure quality services for their passengers, no newcomer is a threat to them,' said the executive of GMG that has interline agreement with Kingfisher. Aviation industry people predicted that Kingfisher might have eye on the passengers who fly from Dhaka to middle-east and western destinations.
Source : The Independent 2008-07-22
Ticket fraud by Emirate Airlines Alleged
A large number of innocent passengers are falling prey to subtle cheating of Emirate airlines and facing intolerable harassment and financial loss regularly.
Despite the complaints lodged by the sufferers, local office of the airlines ignored the sufferings of the passengers and did not take steps to ease their plight, it is alleged.
Tickets of most of the International airlines remain valid for six months to 12 months.
But the electronic tickets of the Emirate airlines remain valid for only one month to three months and nowhere it is mentioned.
As a result, many educated passengers also cannot understand the tickets.
A number of poor educated persons of Bangladesh fly by this UAE based airlines everyday.
A passenger of Emirates airlines M Sayed Azad recently incurred such financial loss. He bought a Dhaka-London route ticket. M Sayed Azad with the ticket (No. 1764749291364) of the Emirate airlines flew to London from Dhaka recently. Just after three months when he went to reconfirm the ticket for returning to Dhaka from London, he was told the time of the ticket had already expired. When Azad informed the Dhaka office of the matter, he was asked to buy another ticket to return, it is alleged.
Reported on The News today 2008-07-22
Despite the complaints lodged by the sufferers, local office of the airlines ignored the sufferings of the passengers and did not take steps to ease their plight, it is alleged.
Tickets of most of the International airlines remain valid for six months to 12 months.
But the electronic tickets of the Emirate airlines remain valid for only one month to three months and nowhere it is mentioned.
As a result, many educated passengers also cannot understand the tickets.
A number of poor educated persons of Bangladesh fly by this UAE based airlines everyday.
A passenger of Emirates airlines M Sayed Azad recently incurred such financial loss. He bought a Dhaka-London route ticket. M Sayed Azad with the ticket (No. 1764749291364) of the Emirate airlines flew to London from Dhaka recently. Just after three months when he went to reconfirm the ticket for returning to Dhaka from London, he was told the time of the ticket had already expired. When Azad informed the Dhaka office of the matter, he was asked to buy another ticket to return, it is alleged.
Reported on The News today 2008-07-22
Air India Express inaugural flight to Dhaka makes disastrous debut
The Kolkata-Dhaka service of Air India Express, the low-cost carrier of Air India, made a disastrous debut on Sunday with the inaugural flight carrying just one passenger to the Bangladesh capital.
And the 186-seater Boeing 737-800 arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport from Dhaka in the morning with only four passengers, according to The Telegraph.
"It took off from Calcutta (Kolkata) at 2:05pm with two passengers. One of them was making an onward journey from Bangkok," the newspaper quoted an immigration official as saying.
Md Moazzem Hussain, a 58-year-old Australian citizen, was the only passenger to board the flight from Kolkata. According to airline sources, there are very few bookings for the next two days.
A Boeing 737-800 aircraft burns around three tonne of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), which costs around Rs 2.4 lakh, for a round trip between Kolkata and Dhaka.
The flight will operate throughout the week, except Saturday, with a minimum fair of about Rs 3,000. It is an extension of the airline's services on the Singapore and Bangkok sectors.
"We expect the passenger load to increase soon," said an Air India Express official. "The travel agents were not informed. There was no awareness drive."
Industry watchers feel the Kokata-Dhaka route is currently not viable. Before Air India Express came in, Biman Bangladesh, Jet Airways and GMG Airlines shared around 300 seats daily. Less than half the seats are being filled up, said an airport official.
"Passengers coming for treatment to Kolkata and those taking flights to Southeast Asia are likely to avail themselves of the service," said an airline spokesperson.
Air India Express's inaugural flight to Singapore last October carried 28 passengers to the island state and returned with only two passengers. The low passenger count was blamed on delayed start to bookings.
"The passenger load to Singapore has picked up since then. The flights often go full," said an airline official.
Reported on - The Independent 2008-07-22
And the 186-seater Boeing 737-800 arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport from Dhaka in the morning with only four passengers, according to The Telegraph.
"It took off from Calcutta (Kolkata) at 2:05pm with two passengers. One of them was making an onward journey from Bangkok," the newspaper quoted an immigration official as saying.
Md Moazzem Hussain, a 58-year-old Australian citizen, was the only passenger to board the flight from Kolkata. According to airline sources, there are very few bookings for the next two days.
A Boeing 737-800 aircraft burns around three tonne of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), which costs around Rs 2.4 lakh, for a round trip between Kolkata and Dhaka.
The flight will operate throughout the week, except Saturday, with a minimum fair of about Rs 3,000. It is an extension of the airline's services on the Singapore and Bangkok sectors.
"We expect the passenger load to increase soon," said an Air India Express official. "The travel agents were not informed. There was no awareness drive."
Industry watchers feel the Kokata-Dhaka route is currently not viable. Before Air India Express came in, Biman Bangladesh, Jet Airways and GMG Airlines shared around 300 seats daily. Less than half the seats are being filled up, said an airport official.
"Passengers coming for treatment to Kolkata and those taking flights to Southeast Asia are likely to avail themselves of the service," said an airline spokesperson.
Air India Express's inaugural flight to Singapore last October carried 28 passengers to the island state and returned with only two passengers. The low passenger count was blamed on delayed start to bookings.
"The passenger load to Singapore has picked up since then. The flights often go full," said an airline official.
Reported on - The Independent 2008-07-22
Tourism income rises 13pc in 4 months in Bangladesh
Asif Showkat: Foreign exchange earning from tourists and other arrivals to Bangladesh in first four months of 2008 increased by 13.58 per cent over the same period last year.
January saw the biggest 33.55 jump in earnings from holidaymakers and business tourists over the year-ago period on the back of a surge in arrivals after the devastating cyclone Sidr on November 15, 2007, tourism officials and operators said.
Earnings from tourism totalled Tk 232.15 crore in the January-April period this year, up from Tk 204.43 crore of the same period last year.
Tour operators attributed the growth to less or no hassle at the airport during the emergency rules, while tourism promotion officials took credit for it, saying their strengthened campaigns lured more globetrotters into Bangladesh.
Foreigners spent Tk 74.93 crore in foreign currencies in January 2008, compared with Tk 56.11 crore of the year-ago period.
The March figure was, however, down by 6.25 per cent from February earnings from foreign tourist arrivals.
Incomes from tourism were Tk 52.78 crore in March and Tk 45.94 crore in April, marking gradual declines from January peak.
Tourist arrivals marked significant rises over the years with about 2.89 lakh foreigners travelling to Bangladesh in 2007, up from about 2 lakh in 2006 and 2.07 lakh in 2005.
The increase was 135 per cent to 39,345 persons in January 2008, compared with January 2007 arrivals, officials said.
‘Increased number of aid workers and journalists toured Bangladesh during the weeks after the cyclone Sidr. Many of them had longer stay like for 15 or 30 days,’ an official said, analysing the tourist growth trend in the Sidr aftermaths.
A significant number of Chinese and Thai nationals also entered Bangladesh for jobs, especially in mobile phone companies, contributing to the growth in arrivals during the period, hospitality industry sources said.
If the planned ‘China town’ is built in the Dhaka city outskirts, more Chinese citizens will be arriving in Bangladesh in future for business purpose, they said.
‘Arrivals of foreign tourists in the country increased as the airport and immigration department are now free from harassment,’ said MA Muhaimin Saleh, president of Association of Travel Agents Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation chairman Shafique Alam Mehedi told New Age on Monday that the state-run promotion agency arranged several tourism fairs in different parts of the country throughout the year to attract more tourists.
Foreign diplomats stationed in Bangladesh were invited to those fairs so that they could project the country positively, he said.
Worldwide tourists’ movement reached 898 million in 2007, according to the World Tourism Organisation, which forecast that by 2010, international tourist arrivals would reach 1 billion annually.
Reported on New Age-2008-07-22
January saw the biggest 33.55 jump in earnings from holidaymakers and business tourists over the year-ago period on the back of a surge in arrivals after the devastating cyclone Sidr on November 15, 2007, tourism officials and operators said.
Earnings from tourism totalled Tk 232.15 crore in the January-April period this year, up from Tk 204.43 crore of the same period last year.
Tour operators attributed the growth to less or no hassle at the airport during the emergency rules, while tourism promotion officials took credit for it, saying their strengthened campaigns lured more globetrotters into Bangladesh.
Foreigners spent Tk 74.93 crore in foreign currencies in January 2008, compared with Tk 56.11 crore of the year-ago period.
The March figure was, however, down by 6.25 per cent from February earnings from foreign tourist arrivals.
Incomes from tourism were Tk 52.78 crore in March and Tk 45.94 crore in April, marking gradual declines from January peak.
Tourist arrivals marked significant rises over the years with about 2.89 lakh foreigners travelling to Bangladesh in 2007, up from about 2 lakh in 2006 and 2.07 lakh in 2005.
The increase was 135 per cent to 39,345 persons in January 2008, compared with January 2007 arrivals, officials said.
‘Increased number of aid workers and journalists toured Bangladesh during the weeks after the cyclone Sidr. Many of them had longer stay like for 15 or 30 days,’ an official said, analysing the tourist growth trend in the Sidr aftermaths.
A significant number of Chinese and Thai nationals also entered Bangladesh for jobs, especially in mobile phone companies, contributing to the growth in arrivals during the period, hospitality industry sources said.
If the planned ‘China town’ is built in the Dhaka city outskirts, more Chinese citizens will be arriving in Bangladesh in future for business purpose, they said.
‘Arrivals of foreign tourists in the country increased as the airport and immigration department are now free from harassment,’ said MA Muhaimin Saleh, president of Association of Travel Agents Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation chairman Shafique Alam Mehedi told New Age on Monday that the state-run promotion agency arranged several tourism fairs in different parts of the country throughout the year to attract more tourists.
Foreign diplomats stationed in Bangladesh were invited to those fairs so that they could project the country positively, he said.
Worldwide tourists’ movement reached 898 million in 2007, according to the World Tourism Organisation, which forecast that by 2010, international tourist arrivals would reach 1 billion annually.
Reported on New Age-2008-07-22
Kingfisher Plans to Operate Flights to Bangladesh
Kingfisher Airlines, a major private airline in India, is planning to launch its flights to Bangladesh by October this year, sources at the aviation industry said. It will initially operate its aircraft to two destinations in Bangladesh. Kingfisher has taken necessary preparations including hiring of local manpower to launch the flights from Kolkata to Dhaka and Chittagong said a senior official who is working with the local office at Banani in the city told the reporter last week. Kingfisher, a brand of United Breweries, mainly popular for liquor and beverage industry in India, launched its aviation business in India in 2005. Vijay Mullaya, UB Chairman and also a liquor baron in India, has around 55 aircraft mostly Airbus. Local office sources said the Kingfisher airline is likely to operate two flights daily, one in the morning and another in the evening, between Kolkata and Dhaka from October. For the Kolkata-Chittagong route, Kingfisher has planned three flights a week. At present, Air India and India's another private sector airline Jet Air operate flights in Dhaka-Kolkata route. Besides,
Indian government-owned Air India's economy carrier Air India Express announced that it would operate six flights a week from Dhaka to Kolkata from July 20. Among the Bangladeshi carriers, Biman Bangladesh, GMG Airlines operate flights between Kolkata and Dhaka while United Airways, a venture by UK-based expatriates, is going to fly to Kolkata from the end of this month. Nazrul Islam, an official of private GMG Airlines, said operating of more Indian carriers in the routes might intensify competition but that would not be a threat for Bangladeshi airlines. 'If Bangladeshi airlines can ensure quality services for their passengers, no newcomer is a threat to them,' said the executive of GMG that has interline agreement with Kingfisher. Aviation industry people predicted that Kingfisher might have eye on the passengers who fly from Dhaka to middle-east and western destinations.
Reported on The Independent 2008-07-22
Indian government-owned Air India's economy carrier Air India Express announced that it would operate six flights a week from Dhaka to Kolkata from July 20. Among the Bangladeshi carriers, Biman Bangladesh, GMG Airlines operate flights between Kolkata and Dhaka while United Airways, a venture by UK-based expatriates, is going to fly to Kolkata from the end of this month. Nazrul Islam, an official of private GMG Airlines, said operating of more Indian carriers in the routes might intensify competition but that would not be a threat for Bangladeshi airlines. 'If Bangladeshi airlines can ensure quality services for their passengers, no newcomer is a threat to them,' said the executive of GMG that has interline agreement with Kingfisher. Aviation industry people predicted that Kingfisher might have eye on the passengers who fly from Dhaka to middle-east and western destinations.
Reported on The Independent 2008-07-22
Earnings from Tourism Industry of Bangladesh
The foreign currency earnings from tourism and related services has largely been outstripped by money spent by Bangladeshi travellers abroad as revealed by a recent media report. Impressive growth in foreign tourist visits even could not hold back the real drain on foreign exchange earnings, official statistics suggest. The number of outbound Bangladeshi travellers has doubled in seven years and they spend more generously abroad than foreign tourists coming to our country. Foreign tourist arrival is growing, but at a slower pace than Bangladeshis going abroad. A study shows, about 1.13 lakh Bangladeshi travellers went abroad in 2000 and their number more than doubled to 2.33 lakh in 2007.
The outbound tourists spent Tk 1,072 crore in foreign exchange abroad in 2007 for tourism purposes. On the other hand, the country's earnings from tourism and related services was about Tk 526 crore in foreign currency. It is rather difficult to have accurate and authentic information on tourism once the national tourism authority comes into being. In fact, the overall growth in the tourism sector was impressive in 2007 despite political uncertainty and major natural disasters like floods and cyclone.
Domestic tourism also grew significantly with an increasing number of people travelling to different natural and archaeological sites, private tour operators say. Cox's Bazar, Teknaf, St. Martin's Island, Kuakata beach, the mangrove forest Sundarbans, archaeological sites and places and places of pilgrimage attracted most of travellers from both home and abroad. According to the global tourism body's index, Bangladesh ranks 120 out of 124 member countries. Efforts must
be there at all levels - private and public - to boost tourism as the World Tourism Organisation predicts that global tourism industry will benefit from more than one billion tourists by 2010 and 1.6 billion by 2020. This will give tourism the status of the number one industry globally.
Reported on The New Nation 2008-05-12
The outbound tourists spent Tk 1,072 crore in foreign exchange abroad in 2007 for tourism purposes. On the other hand, the country's earnings from tourism and related services was about Tk 526 crore in foreign currency. It is rather difficult to have accurate and authentic information on tourism once the national tourism authority comes into being. In fact, the overall growth in the tourism sector was impressive in 2007 despite political uncertainty and major natural disasters like floods and cyclone.
Domestic tourism also grew significantly with an increasing number of people travelling to different natural and archaeological sites, private tour operators say. Cox's Bazar, Teknaf, St. Martin's Island, Kuakata beach, the mangrove forest Sundarbans, archaeological sites and places and places of pilgrimage attracted most of travellers from both home and abroad. According to the global tourism body's index, Bangladesh ranks 120 out of 124 member countries. Efforts must
be there at all levels - private and public - to boost tourism as the World Tourism Organisation predicts that global tourism industry will benefit from more than one billion tourists by 2010 and 1.6 billion by 2020. This will give tourism the status of the number one industry globally.
Reported on The New Nation 2008-05-12
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Bahrain Air Announces Kochi-Jeddah Flights
Kochi: Low-cost carrier Bahrain Air on Saturday announced the launch of a new flight between Kochi and Jeddah from Wednesday.
Kochi would be the carrier's first destination in the Indian sub-continent and the service will operate bi-weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays with an Airbus A-320 aircraft, an airline statement said.
Bahrain Air will offer attractive fares and a one-way ticket, inclusive of taxes, will cost Rs 11,800, at least 40 per cent lower than what other airlines offer, the statement said.
The new service is expected to come as a boon to thousands of Kerala residents working in Bahrain and Jeddah.
Reported on The Economic Times 2008-07-19
Kochi would be the carrier's first destination in the Indian sub-continent and the service will operate bi-weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays with an Airbus A-320 aircraft, an airline statement said.
Bahrain Air will offer attractive fares and a one-way ticket, inclusive of taxes, will cost Rs 11,800, at least 40 per cent lower than what other airlines offer, the statement said.
The new service is expected to come as a boon to thousands of Kerala residents working in Bahrain and Jeddah.
Reported on The Economic Times 2008-07-19
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Best Air to fly on Dhaka-Colombo route from 28-July 2008
Best Air, the country's third private airline, will start flying on Dhaka-Colombo route ahead of Saarc summit from July 28 to carry passengers from Bangladesh.
“We have got the permission of Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority this afternoon and will start our operation from July 28,” Best Air spokesperson Tito Siddique told the news agency yesterday.
Initially, the lone Boeing 737-200, already in operation on Dhaka-Bangkok route, will fly on the Dhaka- Colombo route.
“As two of our leased aircrafts are in the pipeline, we have to use our Boeing for this route also,” Tito Siddique said.
The airline got permission to operate seven flights a week, but remains undecided on how many flights they will operate per week at the initial stage.
Two aircrafts, MD-83 and ERJ-145, will be added to the fleet of Best Air to fly on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka-Dubai and Dhaka-Kolkata routes.
The 162-seat MD-83 will fly on Kuala Lumpur and Dubai routes, while the 50-seat ERJ-145 will fly on Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Kolkata and Dhaka-Bangkok routes. Both the aircrafts will be brought under dry lease system.
Best Air has already got permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh to operate four flights a week on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur route.
Negotiations, which are at the final stage, are on with the Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority.
Best Aviation started its journey in 1999 as a helicopter operator followed by its operation as a Freight Airline in 2000. It obtained license in 2006 from the Civil Aviation Authority to operate passenger services on the international and domestic routes. The company launched its passenger fleet with Boeing 737-200, which was the first to arrive in Bangladesh.
The airline started its operation on the country's busiest Dhaka-Chittagong route on January 14 this year with the Boeing 737-200. It operates flight to Bangkok four days a week with the same aircraft.
The aviation industry in Bangladesh has witnessed a boom with the launch of three private airlines in last one year. Yet, another is set to start commercial flights next month.
The industry is growing at 7.5 to 8 percent a year, while the market size is worth around Tk 3,500 crore, according to private operators.
“We have got the permission of Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority this afternoon and will start our operation from July 28,” Best Air spokesperson Tito Siddique told the news agency yesterday.
Initially, the lone Boeing 737-200, already in operation on Dhaka-Bangkok route, will fly on the Dhaka- Colombo route.
“As two of our leased aircrafts are in the pipeline, we have to use our Boeing for this route also,” Tito Siddique said.
The airline got permission to operate seven flights a week, but remains undecided on how many flights they will operate per week at the initial stage.
Two aircrafts, MD-83 and ERJ-145, will be added to the fleet of Best Air to fly on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka-Dubai and Dhaka-Kolkata routes.
The 162-seat MD-83 will fly on Kuala Lumpur and Dubai routes, while the 50-seat ERJ-145 will fly on Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Kolkata and Dhaka-Bangkok routes. Both the aircrafts will be brought under dry lease system.
Best Air has already got permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh to operate four flights a week on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur route.
Negotiations, which are at the final stage, are on with the Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority.
Best Aviation started its journey in 1999 as a helicopter operator followed by its operation as a Freight Airline in 2000. It obtained license in 2006 from the Civil Aviation Authority to operate passenger services on the international and domestic routes. The company launched its passenger fleet with Boeing 737-200, which was the first to arrive in Bangladesh.
The airline started its operation on the country's busiest Dhaka-Chittagong route on January 14 this year with the Boeing 737-200. It operates flight to Bangkok four days a week with the same aircraft.
The aviation industry in Bangladesh has witnessed a boom with the launch of three private airlines in last one year. Yet, another is set to start commercial flights next month.
The industry is growing at 7.5 to 8 percent a year, while the market size is worth around Tk 3,500 crore, according to private operators.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Air India Express to launch Dhaka-Kolkata Flights on 20th July 2008
Air India Express, an Indian government owned airlines, will launch six flights a week from Dhaka to Kolkata with effect from 20th July. S.R.Premkumar, Country Manager of Air India Express, Bangladesh announced it at a press conference at Sheraton Hotel in the capital on Sunday 13-July-2008."Besides lower fares, an important feature of Air India Express is the internet based reservations system. Interested persons may visit www.airindiaexpress.in for reservation and information. This system is very customer-friendly and passengers can make reservations from home, offices or through appointed travel agents. Passengers have access to fares and availability of seats, which makes it an extremely transparent system." said Premkuar while addressing the press.
He also said the flights will arrive in Dhaka at 04:15 hrs (Local Time) and depart for Kolkata at 05:50 hrs (LT), reaching Kolkata 06:00 hrs (LT), adding, the flights will offer convenient connections to Bangkok and Singapore. Flights to Bangkok will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Passengers will arrive in Bangkok at 11.00 hrs (LT), he also added.
He mentioned that the flights will also offer convenient connections to Singapore, operate three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving at Singapore at 13.30 hrs (LT). Additionally there will also be one direct flight weekly to Mumbai, on Fridays, departing at 19.30 hrs and arriving at 21.50 hrs (LT). He also mentioned that Dhaka is the 14th international destination of Air India Express, which like all other destinations will be served with state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
"In keeping with its objective to provide convenient connectivity on the short haul routes at affordable prices, Air India Express fleet has a single, economy class configuration," he said. He also said Air India Express serves its passengers snacks and a soft drink in pre-packed boxes. While tea/coffee and drinking water are served complimentary, alcoholic drinks are sold at a nominal price. An important feature of the schedule is the convenient timings offered as a result of standardisation of flight departures, he added.
"The tail designs are an innovative and novel feature of the Air India Express aircraft. These tail designs depict different facets of traditional and contemporary India which represent the heritage values and ethos of the country," he said. He informed that with the induction of the new flights, Air India Express will now have 164 weekly International/Domestic Flights between 14 Indian cities, viz, Kozhikode, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Trichy, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, Delhi, Amritsar and Hyderabad and 14 International stations viz Dhaka, Kuwait, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Al Ain, Salalah, Bahrain, Doha, Colombo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok on the network, which include the new flights introduced to Kuwait from Kozhikode, Kochi and Mangalore from July 14, 2008.
Staff Correspondent Ppublished on The Bangladesh Today dated 14 July-2008
He also said the flights will arrive in Dhaka at 04:15 hrs (Local Time) and depart for Kolkata at 05:50 hrs (LT), reaching Kolkata 06:00 hrs (LT), adding, the flights will offer convenient connections to Bangkok and Singapore. Flights to Bangkok will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Passengers will arrive in Bangkok at 11.00 hrs (LT), he also added.
He mentioned that the flights will also offer convenient connections to Singapore, operate three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving at Singapore at 13.30 hrs (LT). Additionally there will also be one direct flight weekly to Mumbai, on Fridays, departing at 19.30 hrs and arriving at 21.50 hrs (LT). He also mentioned that Dhaka is the 14th international destination of Air India Express, which like all other destinations will be served with state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
"In keeping with its objective to provide convenient connectivity on the short haul routes at affordable prices, Air India Express fleet has a single, economy class configuration," he said. He also said Air India Express serves its passengers snacks and a soft drink in pre-packed boxes. While tea/coffee and drinking water are served complimentary, alcoholic drinks are sold at a nominal price. An important feature of the schedule is the convenient timings offered as a result of standardisation of flight departures, he added.
"The tail designs are an innovative and novel feature of the Air India Express aircraft. These tail designs depict different facets of traditional and contemporary India which represent the heritage values and ethos of the country," he said. He informed that with the induction of the new flights, Air India Express will now have 164 weekly International/Domestic Flights between 14 Indian cities, viz, Kozhikode, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Trichy, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, Delhi, Amritsar and Hyderabad and 14 International stations viz Dhaka, Kuwait, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Al Ain, Salalah, Bahrain, Doha, Colombo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok on the network, which include the new flights introduced to Kuwait from Kozhikode, Kochi and Mangalore from July 14, 2008.
Staff Correspondent Ppublished on The Bangladesh Today dated 14 July-2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
About Airlines Update of Bangladesh Aviation Market
I am working with this aviation industries for last 11 Years. Presently I have decided to collect updates to publish on my BLOG.
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