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EgyptAir is set to open a new service connecting the capital cities of Egypt and Bangladesh as part of efforts to boost tourism between the two countries.
The move comes after the airline signed a memorandum of understanding (pictured) with ALO Dhaka Aviation, the general sales agent for the Star Alliance member in Bangladesh.
From Nov. 1, EgyptAir plans to offer flights between Cairo (CAI) and Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International (DAC). Service will be once a week using a 280-seat Airbus 330-300 aircraft with six tons of cargo capacity.
“Although EgyptAir is operating now at 65% of its capacity, it agreed to start Cairo-Dhaka-Cairo direct flights to boost its vital tourism sector,” a statement released by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The ministry added the new route would provide increased connectivity for the transportation of Bangladeshi passengers and cargo because of the onward travel options CAI offers, meaning it can be an alternative to hubs Dubai (DXB) and Istanbul (IST).
EgyptAir will become the sole operator of nonstop scheduled flights between Egypt and Bangladesh once the route launches, data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser shows.
Sabre Market Intelligence figures reveal O&D traffic between the two countries totaled 17,320 two-way passengers in 2019, with Cairo-Dhaka accounting for 75% of the traffic on a city pair basis.
In the absence of direct service, about 35% of passengers flew one-stop to CAI via Dubai (DXB). Sharjah (SHJ) was the second-largest one-stop market in 2019, followed by Jeddah (JED).
EgyptAir plans to operate CAI-DAC on Thursdays, departing Egypt’s capital at 1.30 p.m. and arriving in Dhaka at 1.05 a.m. local time the following day. The return flight departs DAC on Friday morning at 2.35 a.m. and returns to CAI at 6.40 a.m.
State-owned carrier Egypt Air has officially applied for a license to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh to operate flights on Cairo-Dhaka-Cairo route.
Egypt Air earlier had plans to operate flights to Bangladesh in 2021. Back then, the airline verbally informed CAAB about it but did not apply officially for permission, said reports citing CAAB.
Recently, CAAB informed that Egypt Air has finally applied officially for permission to operate two flights a week on Cairo-Dhaka-Cairo route.
Air Vice Marshal M Mofidur Rahman, Chairman of CAAB said that they have asked the airline to prepare for commencement of flight operations as it may start soon.
In the application form submitted to CAAB, the airline mentioned that Bangladeshis would be able to go to various destinations in the Middle East and Europe, including Egypt, by starting direct flights of Egypt Air between Dhaka and Cairo.
Also, Bangladeshi students will have the opportunity to study in Egyptian universities.
Tourists will benefit from Egypt's multifaceted tourism.
Initially, the airline plan to operate flights two days a week and, afterwards, seven days a week.
EgyptAir currently operates flights to more than 80 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas with a fleet of 69 modern aircraft.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam discussed ways to enhance trade and investment between Bangladesh and Egypt in a series of meetings in Cairo over the last couple of days.
The Egyptian entrepreneurs invited Bangladesh entrepreneurs to invest in Egypt and explore possibilities of joint collaboration in potential areas.
During his meeting with Dr. Hala Helmy Elsaid, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Shahriar Alam mentioned that Bangladesh government has successfully lowered the rate of poverty.
The Egyptian Minister briefed the State Minister for Foreign Affairs about the mega, development and welfare projects undertaken by the Egyptian government.
Shariar Alam said Bangladesh and Egypt are working in D8 (Developing-8) for facilitation of trade.
The Egyptian Development Minister suggested that both countries may cooperate in areas like cotton production and possible production of staples.
The State Minister apprised the Egyptian Minister of the remarkable achievements that Bangladesh has made in various socio economic areas.
He said that Bangladesh has achieved self-sufficiency in food production and meeting demand of electricity while Bangladesh’s exports have doubled.
Shahriar Alam informed that the government is putting importance on health, education and infrastructure sectors development.
The State Minister met with Engineer Yehia Zaki, CEO of Suez Canal Economic Zone at his office on Wednesday, accompanied by Ambassador of Bangladesh in Cairo, Director General (Africa) and other officials of the Foreign Ministry.
The CEO of Suez Canal briefed the State Minister about the activities of Suez Canal Economic zone.
He invited Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to invest in Suez Canal economic zone.
The State Minister mentioned that Bangladeshi investors may invest in suitable area in Suez Canal.
The State Minister later met with the Minister of Trade and Industry, Nevin Gamea at her office.
The Egyptian Minister was accompanied by Assistant Minister and other trade related high level officials.
Both sides reflected on potential areas of cooperation and agreed to identify potential markets.
The State Minister said the government has taken measures to enhance Bangladesh' exports to African countries terming Africa as a very potential region for cooperation.
He proposed that high level delegation may visit from Egypt to Bangladesh to find out potential areas of cooperation in trade and investment.
The State Minister also met with A. D. Khaled El-Anany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities at his office.
He expressed happiness over the decision of the Egyptian side to introduce operations of Egypt Air from Dhaka to Egypt directly.
The State Minister suggested that there may be cooperation in exchange of knowledge in hospitality and tourism sectors between Bangladesh and Egypt.
The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities said the government of Egypt would offer exchange education for Bangladesh students in tourism sector with Bangladesh.
The State Minister also met with Egyptian Chamber of Industry, representatives of Apparel and Textiles and Egyptian entrepreneurs.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between EgyptAir and ALO Dhaka Aviation Ltd in Cairo to operate two scheduled Dhaka-Cairo flights every week, starting November 2021.
Although the state-owned flag carrier of Egypt is now operating at 65% of its capacity, it agreed to start Cairo-Dhaka-Cairo direct flights to boost the country's vital tourism sector.
However, this will provide a cheaper option for Bangladeshi passengers and cargoes destined for Europe and North America, being an alternative to Dubai and Istanbul.
"Our expatriates and businesspersons are expected to get benefitted as well," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The airlines have initially planned to operate two weekly flights between Dhaka and Cairo, said Farhad Hossain, the executive director at the airlines’ general sales agent ALO Dhaka Aviation, at a city hotel.
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