Plan for direct Dhaka-New York flights next year

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has sought US cooperation in launching direct flights between Dhaka and New York next year.
He also stressed the need to expedite the delivery of Boeing aircraft ordered for Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
The minister made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States, particularly cooperation in the civil aviation and tourism sectors, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Millat said the government was prioritising the development of the country’s civil aviation sector and working on an aviation master plan to improve air connectivity.
He said an advanced air traffic management system had recently been inaugurated at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as part of efforts to establish Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub. 
The government has also taken an initiative to establish an international airport in Bogura, he added.
The minister said the government had taken steps to purchase new aircraft as part of efforts to establish Biman Bangladesh Airlines as a globally recognised legacy carrier.
An agreement has already been signed to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft, which he described as an important example of long-term commercial and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Millat, however, stressed the need to expedite the delivery of the aircraft.
He said obtaining Category 1 status under the US Federal Aviation Administration’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) programme was important for operating direct commercial flights to the United States.
Considering growing commercial and diplomatic ties between the two countries and the large Bangladeshi community in the US, the government was working to launch direct flights on the Dhaka-New York (JFK) route next year, he said.
The minister also highlighted the potential of Bangladesh’s tourism sector, saying the country has considerable natural attractions.
He said the government was encouraging private investment to develop the country’s 1,498 tourist spots into international-standard destinations.
Ambassador Christensen said the United States would support Bangladesh’s efforts to develop as an aviation hub and expressed commitment to maintaining friendly relations between the two countries.
He also said US investors were interested in investing in Bangladesh’s civil aviation and tourism sectors.
The ambassador assured the minister of US cooperation in efforts to launch direct flights between Dhaka and New York.
Christensen also congratulated Millat on taking charge as the full minister for civil aviation and tourism.
The two sides also discussed possible visits by the ambassador to tourist destinations across Bangladesh as part of efforts to promote the country’s tourism sector.