The national flag carrier of Bangladesh is to return to Manchester Airport, it announced today.
Biman Bangladesh will commence its new service to Sylhet and Dhaka in the new year, with flights to begin on January 4.
The service launch marks the airline’s return to the airport, which operated a Dhaka-Manchester-New York service until 2012.
The announcement was made at an event at the British High Commission in Dhaka, which was attended by the chairman of the airline’s Board of Directors, Manchester Airport CEO Andrew Cowan and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
It is the first deal to be revealed as part of a visit to Bangladesh and India by a delegation spearheaded by Mr Burnham, who is leading a 10 day-long delegation to Bangladesh and India.
Mr Burnham said the direct connection between Manchester and Bangladesh will enable trade, cultural and educational benefits.
He said: “I intend to keep building Greater Manchester’s relationship with Bangladesh over the coming years so our friends from Biman can rest assured we will do all we can to promote and support this vital route.”
The airline will operate three flights a week - on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday - on a 787 Dreamliner from Manchester to Dhaka and Sylhet.
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Mr Cowan said there had been “significant demand” for direct flights to Bangladesh for some time.
He said: “Manchester Airport is the 海角视频’s gateway to the north of England and within our catchment area there are many long-standing Bangladeshi communities for whom this will make a massive difference.”
More than 55,000 people a year travel from Manchester Airport’s catchment to Dhaka and Syhlet, with some 600,000 people travelling to destinations in Biman’s onward network, the airport said.
Mr Cowan continued: “We know there are many northern companies with a desire to trade in Bangladesh, while we also look forward to welcoming business and leisure visitors from that part of the world.
“This long haul route is the latest we have added to Manchester in recent years, as we continue to work hard to connect the north to key international destinations.”
The Greater Manchester delegation, which started in Sylhet before moving to Dhaka, will will also move on to Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi, meeting civic leaders and government officials in each location to build on the work of the Manchester India Partnership, chaired by Mr Cowan.