International flight operations are once again expanding at Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport. After suspending services for about 10 months, UAE-based airline flydubai is set to resume its operations at the airport.

The carrier has announced it will operate seven flights a week -- one daily -- from Chattogram.
Engr Md Ibrahim Khalil, public relations officer of Ctg airport, said, "Flydubai has taken the initiative to resume flights from 26 October.

Discussions are also ongoing with several Middle Eastern and China-based airlines, and we hope they will soon begin operations at Shah Amanat."

Earlier in September, Oman-based SalamAir also resumed its operations at Shah Amanat International Airport, further boosting international passenger traffic.

Industry insiders said that airlines which had previously withdrawn services are now returning, allowing Shah Amanat International Airport to regain its vibrancy.

Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said that, in addition to flydubai, several other airlines, including Northern China, have expressed interest in launching flights from Chattogram.

According to sources, SalamAir suspended operations from Shah Amanat on 1 September last year due to insufficient passenger demand.

Flydubai officials mentioned that the airline first launched its Chattogram–Dubai route in 2011 with three weekly flights.

However, due to a central policy decision, flydubai suspended its operations at Shah Amanat airport in December last year.