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AirArabia Eyes Expansion in Bangladesh’s Growing Aviation Sector
Adel Abdullah Ali, the group CEO of AirArabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East, expressed optimism about expanding business in Bangladesh, considering the country a key route in the airline’s growth strategy. During his recent visit to Dhaka, marking the first tour of Bangladesh by a group CEO in the airline’s 20-year global history, Ali highlighted Bangladesh’s aviation growth and its potential for business opportunities.
Ali emphasized the suitability of Bangladesh for the aviation business, citing AirArabia’s successful operations in the country for the past 17 years. The CEO noted a consistent growth rate of three to four percent year-on-year in Bangladesh’s aviation sector, contributing to the airline’s positive outlook. Bangladesh-UAE is acknowledged as one of the key routes for AirArabia.
Currently, AirArabia operates 57 non-stop weekly flights between two destinations in Bangladesh—Dhaka and Port City Chattogram. Ali mentioned that the airline is open to considering an increase in flight frequency depending on the economic situation and growth factors in Bangladesh.
With seven strategic hubs in UAE, Morocco, Egypt, Armenia, and Pakistan, AirArabia operates over 190 international and domestic routes in approximately 50 countries, maintaining a fleet of 73 Airbus A320 and A321 planes. The airline has an existing order for 120 Airbus A320 family aircraft, including A320neo, A321neo-LR, and A321 XLR, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2025.
Ali revealed plans to cover all European destinations within two years after receiving the A321 XLR aircraft, capable of flying more than 8 hours. He credited AirArabia with transforming the perception of air travel in the Arab world by making it accessible to all segments of the community with reasonable ticket prices.
The CEO highlighted the positive impact on the expatriate Bangladeshi community, enabling more frequent visits to their homeland. AirArabia has become one of the world’s best-performing airlines in terms of operational efficiency and profitability.
AirArabia regional general manager Rajesh Nurala and MGH CEO Abdur Rahim, the airline’s general sales agent (GSA) in Bangladesh, were also present during Ali’s visit.
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.
