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GMG goes beyond the border on Sept 8

Airline to operate Ctg-Kolkata flights

STAR BUSINESS REPORT
GMG Airlines will start operating flights on Chittagong-Kolkata route on September 8 to become the first private carrier of Bangladesh to run international flights.
Airline Managing Director Shahab Sattar said the launching of the regional flight will be a milestone in the history of Bangladesh's civil aviation industry.
"May be it is a small flight but it will be a big leap in aviation sector, which needs private sector participation for more competitiveness and quality service to passengers," he said speaking at a press conference in Dhaka to announce the launching.
GMG will operate three flights a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays on the route. The fare for the 45-minute flight will be same as Biman's $89 (one way).
GMG Airlines will also start operations on Dhaka-Colombo via Chennai, Dhaka-Male via Colombo, Chittagong-Chiang Mai and Dhaka-Kathmandu routes as soon as air services agree-
ments with those countries are revised, Shahab said.
The private airline received air transport operating licence (Atol) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh on January 13 this year.
Addressing the function, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin said, "We may allow more private airlines to operate on international routes to bring in competitiveness and ensure standard service."
"Similarly we'll allow Indian private sector airlines to come to Bangladesh. Competition between state and private airlines will benefit the both," he said.
The state minister said stronger airlink would help boost trade and tourism in the region. "Last year 86,000 Indian tourists visited Bangladesh out of the total 2.62 lakh foreign tourists. We expect five lakh foreign tourists this year."
Speaking at the function, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri said strengthening of air, rail and water links is crucial for further
deepening bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh.
She said India is fully prepared to discuss implementation of an 'open sky' policy with neighbouring countries. As part of the policy, she said, India has already signed an agreement with Sri Lanka accommodating 120 weekly flights.
Two of India's leading private airlines -- Jet Airways and Sahara -- are planning to start operations in Bangladesh, the Indian envoy said.
Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Akhtar Hossain Khan said GMG's Chittagong-Kolkata flight would surely help further consolidate trade, tourism and cultural relations between Bangladesh and India.
GMG operated its first flight on April 6, 1998 and now it connects Dhaka with Chittagong, Sylhet, Jessore, Barisal and Cox's Bazar through 28 flights a day. It has a 37-seater Dash 8-100 and a 50-seater Dash 8-300 aircraft in its fleet.