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Biman Bangladesh Airlines Set to Launch Direct Dhaka-Tokyo Flights from Sept 1
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to embark on a new milestone as it inaugurates its direct flight route between Dhaka and Narita (Tokyo) starting from September 1, 2023, as confirmed by Shafiul Azim, the Managing Director and CEO of the national carrier.
The inaugural flight, designated as BG-377, will take off from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:45 pm local time on September 1. It is scheduled to land at Japan’s Narita International Airport at 9:15 am local time on September 2. The return flight, BG-378, will depart from Narita International Airport to Dhaka on September 2.
Azim detailed the flight schedule, revealing that flights from Dhaka to Narita will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:45 pm. Conversely, flights from Narita to Dhaka will be available on every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, departing at 11 am.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines commenced ticket sales for the Dhaka-Narita direct flights from July 25. The one-way minimum fare on this route is Tk 70,828, with a return ticket price of Tk 1,11,656 per passenger.
To commemorate the launch of this new route, Biman offered a limited-time discount, which was available until August 15. During this promotional period, the minimum one-way fare was set at Tk 49,100, while return tickets were priced at Tk 84,496 per passenger. Remarkably, a significant portion of the inaugural flight tickets has already been sold.
Biman noted that the number of Bangladeshi residents in Japan is relatively modest. It is anticipated that Japanese nationals involved in diverse development projects within Bangladesh will be the primary users of this route.
In a stride towards enhanced service, the CEO announced plans to introduce a 24-hour call center, adhering to international standards. This service will ensure passengers have access to updated flight information round the clock.
Aligned with the objectives of the ‘Smart Bangladesh’ initiative, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will soon introduce an automated baggage system. Commencing from September 1, this system will rigorously enforce baggage weight limits, prohibiting any excess baggage beyond the stipulated allowance.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
