Fly Baghdad to launch direct flights with Dhaka

Fly Baghdad – the private airline of Iraq – plans to launch direct flights between Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Baghdad International Airport very soon to facilitate better communication between the nations, especially for Bangladeshi expatriates working there.

Speaking to The Business Post, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh’s (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice-Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said, “The Republic of Iraq has officially sent us a letter to establish air connectivity with Dhaka.

“We will support them because many Bangladeshis are living in this middle-east country. Besides, the Shahjalal airport is set to be converted to an international transit hub after completion of its third terminal by April 2024.”

An official of the Bangladesh Embassy in Baghdad said Iraq has around 2 lakh Bangladeshi workers, and most of them are involved in the construction sector to rebuild the country devastated by war.

The Bangladesh government would like to export ready-made garments to this country and import dates from them, the official added.

The Emirates and Qatar Airways now handle imports, exports and passenger transportation between Bangladesh and Iraq using Dubai or Qatar as transit points.

In the south Asian region, Fly Bagdad is currently operating only with Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore of Pakistan, the airline’s web portal says.

Previously, on August 1 this year, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism approved Rwanda and Ethiopia’s call to establish air connectivity with Dhaka.

CAAB sources said Bangladesh plans to launch Dhaka-Toronto-Dhaka flights soon, and also resume flights from Dhaka to Japan’s Narita International Airport. A meeting in this regard was held at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism on August 18 this year.