Domestic carriers recover from Covid-19 fallout

Local tourists – who remained captive at home due to the Covid-19 restrictions – are now travelling across the country through domestic flights, thanks to the gradual and significant improvement of the pandemic situation in Bangladesh.

To attract travellers, airlines companies are offering discounts, air tickets on installments with a zero per cent interest rate, and much cheaper trip packages to different local tourist hotspots.

The three airlines who operate on domestic routes say travellers are now occupying 65-80 per cent of their all domestic flights’ capacity, compared to around 90 per cent during the pre-Covid period.

Airlines authorities are optimistic that the traveller occupancy will reach 90 per cent in domestic flights during the upcoming winter, as tourists and travellers from home and abroad visit different local destinations that season.

In a bid to survive the competitive market, Biman Bangladesh Airlines recently launched a flight in the Saidpur-Cox’s Bazar route, while US-Bangla launched flights from Jashore to Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.

Both airlines are offering airport transfer bus services from Saidpur Airport to Dinajpur and Rangpur cities.

Secretary General of Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB) Mofizur Rahman told The Business Post, “All sectors are struggling due to Covid-19 pandemic, and two of the most affected are the aviation and hospitality industries.

“The crisis has left many international airlines companies crippled or closed, while some are trying to roll with the current situation. We are also trying to cope with the current circumstances.”

Mofizur, also the managing director of NOVOAIR, said, “We are offering a 10 per cent discount, zero per cent interest EMI, up to six months installment through credit or debit cards as payment options, and cheapest packages featuring comfortable travel to the tourist attractions.

“Hopefully, the number of air travellers will continue to increase.”

The aviation industry needs financial assistance, a reduction in the jet fuel cost and exemptions from airport charges from our government to aid in its recovery, because other countries are already offering such support, he added.

NOVOAIR says all of its domestic flights have recovered almost 75 per cent traveller occupancy in all domestic flights, compared to the 80 percent of the pre-Covid period.

US-Bangla introduced two night travel packages (Tk 11,290 to Tk 22,990), including return air tickets and hotel accommodation with a zero EMI option to Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Barishal, and Khulna.

Responding to a query, Md Kamrul Islam, general manager (public relations) of US-Bangla Airlines said, “The number of domestic air travellers has been increasing since August 2021, and it currently stands at 80-90 per cent of flight capacity.

“Most of the passengers are heading to Cox’s Bazar. Travellers used to occupy more than 90 per cent of local US-Bangla flights’ capacity before the Covid-19.”

National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ General Manager (Marketing) Mohammad Salahuddin said, “Biman mostly depends on international flights. The volume of travellers had taken up 71 per cent occupancy in domestic flights last month.

“The figure will reach 80 per cent this October.”

Travellers in a holiday mood

Providers and operators of domestic tour package services told The Business Post that most of the air travellers are currently heading towards Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, and Chattogram.

Md Masud Hossain, managing director of the Bengal Tours Ltd, said “Our domestic tourism sector mainly depends on local visitors. The domestic airlines, tourism and hospitality industries will not grow without visits from international travellers.

“So, the government should take initiatives to attract foreigners through embassies’ and the Bangladesh Tourism Board to sustain the local tourism industry.”

In an effort to revive and mobilise the tourism industry amid the Covid-19 pandemic, a international tourism fair titled “Dhaka Travel Mart-2022” will be held on March 10 next year. Local and international tourists will be attracted through various offers and facilities.

Kazi Wahidul Alam, travel mart organiser said, “Bangladesh must take immediate steps to rebound from the crises in tourism and hospitality sectors. There are currently more opportunities for regional cooperation in the new normal era, and the travel fair will help Bangladesh boost these industries.