Biman’s Sylhet-London-Sylhet direct flight resumes after 9 years

Biman Bangladesh Airlines resumed direct flights to London from Sylhet today after nine years.

A flight of Biman's Boeing 787 Dreamliner (BG-001) carrying 238 passengers took off from Sylhet Osmani International Airport around 11:15am today, reports our Sylhet correspondent.

Md Mahbub Ali, state minister of civil aviation and tourism, was present as chief guest at the programme while Biman Bangladesh Airlines Chairman Sazzadul Hasan and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh chairman Air Vice Marshall Mafidur Rahman were present as special guests.

In his speech as chief guest, the state minister said, "The hassle of the expatriates of Sylhet will be reduced with the direct flight service from Sylhet airport."

"We've revamped and modernized Biman services recently -- new aircrafts are being introduced with the fleet and the network is being expanded to new cities," he said.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there is only one flight a week between Dhaka and London at the moment. From October 25 onwards, there will be two flights -- one will fly for London from Dhaka every Sunday, while another will fly for the UK capital from Sylhet on every Wednesday, Biman officials said.

Biman organised a press briefing at the lounge of the Sylhet airport before the inaugural flight took off.

On 2011, direct flight to London from Sylhet was suspended due to lack of modern facilities at Sylhet Osmani International Airport.