Air Astra, country's new private airline, will start its commercial flights on November 24.
Air Astra officially announced its operations in the country in a ceremony organised at the domestic terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday.
The State Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali was the chief guest at the event and launched the official website of Air Astra.
While speaking at the event, he said, "the country's aviation industry is changing. The growth of this industry has doubled in the last 10 years. And in the next 15 years, this industry will grow threefold".
State Minister for Aviation wished the success of Air Astra as a new airline.
The CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mofidur Rahman expressed joy and pride saying that a new airline is joining the aviation sector of the country. Bangladesh is moving towards the goal of being an aviation hub and the Air Astra is a step towards that goal.
The CAAB Chairman mentioned that the number of passengers have been increased day by day in the domestic destinations of the country. Good quality service should be provided to these passengers.
He also highlighted two of the most important things – one is operational safety and another is the service of passengers.
Air Astra Chief Executive Officer Imran Asif said, "Air Astra has made its debut as a new airline in Bangladesh after almost 9 years. We are determined to establish ourselves as the most preferred and reliable airline for passengers through safe passenger service and punctuality."
He also said that Air Astra will start flight operations from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar on November 24. Initially, Air Astra will operate 3 flights on Dhaka-Cox's Bazar-Dhaka route and 2 flights on the Dhaka-Chittagong-Dhaka route.
Air Astra brought two ATR 72-600 aircraft to Dhaka. The ATR 72-600, built in France, is one of the world's most advanced turboprop technology reliable aircraft.
This model can carry 70 passengers. Two more aircraft will arrive in the country within this year, it said, adding that they hope the fleet of aircraft will increase to 10 by 2023.
