A delegation from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and delegation of Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority have held discussions on signing an air service agreement deal to operate direct flight between Dhaka and African destinations.
Ato Getachew Mengiste, the director general at the ECAA, was leading a five-member Ethiopian delegation while CAAB chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman was leading a nine-member delegation at the latter’s office in Dhaka.
The CAAB officials told New Age that Ethiopia, a country on the Horn of Africa, could connect many of other African countries. Bangladesh has signed and revised air service agreement with over 50 counties.
Ethiopia’s flag carrier Ethiopian Airlines has been operating flights through third country for 31 years from Bangladesh.
The Ethiopian Airlines carried passengers through Thailand, UAE, Qatar, Indian, Oman and Bahrain.
In Bangladesh, Rhythm Group is the general sales agent of Ethiopian Airlines.
In February 2022, the Ethiopian Airlines said they wanted to establish a hub in Dhaka as the geographical location of Bangladesh allows it to have immense cargo potential regionally and globally.
The airlines also wanted to operate direct flights between Addis Ababa, the base of Ethiopian Airlines, and Dhaka, the airline is able to carry more cargo, compared to others who traffic cargo through India to beyond.
Rhythm Tours and Travels Ltd manager (sales and reservation) Md Rafiqul Islam told New Age that they have currently average demand for 150 passenger tickets mostly who are serving different United Nations peacekeeping mission in the African countries.
‘We connect most of the operational airport in Africa and at lowest fare so we have possibility to grow further,’ he added.
