Dubai: Sharjah-based budget carrier Air Arabia will begin service to Dhaka, Bangladesh, from June 8, the airline said in a statement.
Flights will initially operate four times per week between Dhaka and Air Arabia's hub in Sharjah.
Dhaka marks Air Arabia's second destination in Bangladesh, the other being Chittagong, which was introduced in June last year.
Air Arabia will fly to Dhaka on Mondays, Wed-nesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing Sharjah at 12.35pm and arriving at Dhaka at 6.55pm.
Return flights will depart Dhaka at 7.40pm and arrive at 10.45pm. It is Air Arabia's 40th destination worldwide and the 17th destination in South Asia.
"With the opening of our newest destination in Dhaka, we will have developed the most comprehensive destination network in South Asia of any Middle East-based carrier," said A.K. Nizar, head of the commercial department.
Air traffic between the UAE and Bangladesh is constantly rising due to high passenger demand, driven by an influx of lab-ourers and professionals.
More than five million Bangladeshis live outside their country, of which more than two million live in the Gulf - the majority being in Saudi Arabia. About 700,000 Bangla-deshis live in the UAE.
"Our flights to both Dhaka and Chittagong represent a commitment to the Bangladeshi market, and recognition of its immense growth potential. With flights to these two cities, the two largest in Bangladesh, we serve the majority of Bangladeshis who wish to have the highest level of service for a competitively priced fare when they fly to the Middle East," Nizar said.
Dhaka is the political and cultural centre of Bangla-desh.
It is also the largest city in Bangladesh with a population of 11 million.
With the addition of Dhaka, Air Arabia now serves the most populous city in almost every country in the subcontinent, with flights to Colombo, Mumbai, Karachi and Kathmandu.
By Staff Reporter
© Gulf News 2008
