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