New private airline: Air Astra submits application for NOC

A new private airline of the country Air Astra has officially submitted its application for No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

Imran Asif, chief executive officer of Air Astra, today told The Daily Star that they submitted the application to CAAB on September 21.

"The process including pre-aircraft acquisition task and preparation of regulatory-compliance documentation are underway, in the meantime," he said.

Air Astra, a new private air operator in the country is likely to start operating flights from January 2022 and will be the third active private airline in Bangladesh.

Apart from the national flag carrier—Biman Bangladesh Airlines, two private airlines--US-Bangla and Novoair are currently operating flights.

The airline is planning to operate flights on all seven divisional domestic routes.

"If we can collect at least four aircraft by January, we will be able to operate flights to all domestic destinations," Air Astra CEO Asif said.

The airline company will get permission to operate flights on international routes after operating flights on domestic routes for at least one year.

Air Astra, incorporated as Astra Airlines Limited  revealed its new livery illustrated on the airline's planned initial fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft early this month.