After being suspended for more than a year, Biman Bangladesh Airlines resumed its direct flights on the Dhaka-Narita (Japan) route starting today.

On Sunday night (July 26), the Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Afroza Khanam, officially inaugurated the route at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Speaking at a press conference held at the airport, the Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister stated that the resumption of direct flights will directly benefit approximately 250,000 expatriate Bangladeshis living in Japan.

She also expressed hope that this development will further broaden bilateral relations between the two countries.

Biman had previously suspended operations on this route due to commercial unprofitability. Initially, the revived Dhaka-Narita route will operate with one flight per week.

Afroza Khanam remarked, "This aviation service is not merely a mode of transport; it will enhance economic dynamism and strengthen the partnership between Bangladesh and Japan."

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat noted that the government is working on plans to scale up its flight operational capacities.

He stated, "For now, we have resumed flights to Narita with a single route due to limitations in our flight capacity. Our primary goal is to add a total of 50 aircraft to the fleet by 2034. As part of this plan, 10 new aircraft are currently being leased."