Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to recommence direct flights to Rome, Italy, marking the revival of the Dhaka-Rome-Dhaka route after a hiatus of nine years. The relaunch, scheduled for Tuesday night, signifies a significant milestone for the airline, catering to the growing demand from the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Italy.
According to Shafiul Azim, Managing Director and CEO of Biman, the decision to reintroduce the Dhaka-Rome-Dhaka route follows comprehensive market analysis, projecting it to become a popular choice akin to other prominent destinations like London, Toronto, and Narita. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Faruk Khan, along with Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro, will inaugurate the flight ceremony at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 9:30 PM.
The inaugural flight, scheduled to depart Dhaka at 3:30 AM, underscores Biman’s strategic expansion plans in Europe, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to serve the interests of expatriate Bangladeshis. With Rome becoming Biman’s third European destination, alongside London and Manchester, the airline anticipates a surge in passenger traffic, evident from the threefold increase in visa applications to Italy following the announcement.
CEO Azim revealed plans to leverage Rome as a stopover for Biman’s Dhaka-Toronto-Dhaka flight, aiming to optimize routing efficiency. Initially launched on April 2, 1981, and suspended on April 6, 2015, due to financial constraints, the revival of the Dhaka-Rome route signifies a strategic move towards bolstering Biman’s global presence.
Flight BG-355 is scheduled to depart Dhaka every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 2 AM local time from March 27 to March 31, with subsequent adjustments in timing from April 1 to accommodate the summer schedule. The revamped flight schedule aims to enhance connectivity and convenience for travelers between Dhaka and the Italian capital, reflecting Biman’s commitment to providing efficient air transport services.
