Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The Turkish Airlines, which operates flights between Istanbul and Dhaka via Karachi, has decided to operate direct flights from March 25 for four days a week in both ways.
The decision to establish the direct air connectivity between the two countries was taken during the Turkish prime minister's visit to Bangladesh in November 2010, the Bangladesh Embassy in Ankara said in a statement.
Primarily, the decision was taken to enhance contacts among the businesspersons and investors of Bangladesh and Turkey, it added.
Then the airlines launched a flight from December 2010 between Dhaka and Istanbul, but unfortunately via Karachi.
Since then, Bangladesh embassy in Ankara has been making consistent and sustained efforts to convert this flight into a direct one. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also raised the issue with the Turkish premier during their meeting in May 2011 in Istanbul, the Daily Star, a local newspaper, reported.
It was argued that a direct air connection between Dhaka and Istanbul would make it more attractive to the travellers and thereby augment interaction among the businesses of the two countries.
Officials expect the new direct flight of the airline would certainly have a positive impact in further improving trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and Turkey, the 16th largest economy of the world.
Turkish Airlines is a state-owned entity having around 200 aircrafts in its ever-expanding fleet and flying to over 200 destinations.
BBN/SSR/AD-22Feb12-11:10 am (BST)
