Biman completes Dhaka-Toronto-Dhaka experiment

The national flag carrier's experimental commercial flight BG306 returned to Dhaka Wednesday after a test flight to Toronto.

Biman Bangladesh Airline's roundtrip flight left Toronto at 10:25am (local time) on March 29 and reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:40pm on March 30.

The non-stop flight was operated by a Boeing 787-9, Tahera Khondoker, deputy general manager (public relations) of Biman, said.

Biman flew a trial flight on the Dhaka-Toronto route, one of the longest in the world, on March 26. This flight was launched on an experimental basis, marking Independence Day. Tickets went on sale on March 19.

The flight touched down in Toronto on March 27 after 18 hours and 35 minutes in the air.

Biman is likely to launch regular commercial flights on the Dhaka-Toronto route, three days a week, from next June, said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali on March 24.

Dhaka-Toronto direct flight was a long-standing demand of Bangladeshi expatriates living in Canada, he added.

Canada is one of the prime markets for Bangladesh's readymade garments, agricultural food, jute, ceramic, leather and seafood.

Many Bangladeshi students study in Canada. Also, about one million Bangladeshi expatriates live in different parts of the country.

The people-to-people contact between the two countries will be further deepened and strengthened by enhancing relations in tourism and aviation, Mahbub said.