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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 issued forecasts of rain or thundershowers for Dhaka, Rangpur, and five other divisions, commencing from 9 am today and extending over the next 24 hours. This weather forecast encompasses Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions, where accompanying gusty or squally winds are anticipated during the rainfall. Additionally, Chattogram division is expected to experience some activity, albeit in fewer places, with the potential for hail in isolated areas.
The BMD bulletin highlights that various areas within these seven divisions may witness significant thunderstorm activity, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, with isolated occurrences of hail.
Temperature levels across the nation are projected to remain consistent, both during daytime and at night. Over the past 24-hour period, Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature in the country at 34.7 degrees Celsius, while Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, experienced the lowest temperature at 21.2 degrees Celsius.
Dhaka witnessed the most substantial rainfall, measuring up to 87mm. Residents in the affected divisions are advised to prepare for adverse weather conditions and stay informed about further forecasts from the BMD.
The Jashore Education Board has achieved the highest pass rate of 92.32% among the nine boards in the 2024 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination, according to official data.
Conversely, Sylhet remained at the bottom with a pass rate of 73.35%, continuing its trend from last year when it also recorded the lowest pass rate of 76.06%.
Data from the education board website reveals that the Dhaka board secured a pass rate of 83.92%, while Rajshahi board achieved 89.25%, Cumilla board 79.20%, Barishal board 89.13%, Chattogram board 82.80%, Dinajpur board 78.40%, and Mymensingh board 84.97%.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the results of this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations. Students have been able to access their results through the official website.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the 2024 Hajj program (1445 hijri) in Ashkona, the capital, today, May 8th.
Subsequently, she exchanged pleasantries with the Hajj pilgrims at the Ashkona Hajj camp.
The maiden Hajj flight is set to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia on Thursday (May 9).
Dedicated Hajj flights will also operate from Chattogram and Sylhet airports, landing at Jeddah and Medina airports.
This year, 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to undertake the holy journey. Among them, 4,562 will be under government management, while 80,695 will be managed privately.
The Hajj is tentatively scheduled for June 15th, contingent upon the moon sighting.
In attendance were Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, and president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahadat Hossain Taslim.
Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome address.
