PIA suspend dahaka flights

[Imran Khan]

Two more flights lost to low volumes
Air India Express is withdrawing its flights from Calcutta to Singapore and Dhaka after Diwali in another show of no-confidence on the growth potential of international air traffic to and from the city.

By Sanjay Mandal

• Published 14.10.17

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Oct. 13: Air India Express is withdrawing its flights from Calcutta to Singapore and Dhaka after Diwali in another show of no-confidence on the growth potential of international air traffic to and from the city.

In a circular to travel agents today, the budget airline said it would stop operating flights in both sectors on October 29.

Air India Express currently has a daily flight to Dhaka and flies four days a week to Singapore, airline officials said. Both flights had been launched only 11 months ago.

In the Calcutta-Singapore sector, Air India Express competes with Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary SilkAir. The Calcutta-Dhaka sector is a lot more crowded, with eight airlines currently running daily flights.

Air India Express officials were unavailable to comment on the reason for the pullout. The unofficial buzz is that the decision to withdraw the Dhaka and Singapore flights is part of a "route rationalisation" exercise.

Since Air India flies daily between Calcutta and Dhaka, the viability of a competing low-cost flight run by a subsidiary was reviewed and found to be poor, sources in the airline said.

Aviation experts not connected with Air India or its subsidiary said two factors were responsible for the decision - not enough international travellers through the year in short-haul sectors and inadequate marketing.

"In a competitive market, an airline has to be aggressive in marketing its flight," said a senior official of an international airline operating out of Calcutta. "Air India Express seems to be on auto pilot. After the launch of the flight (in November 2016), they hardly did any product promotion," he said.

There are about 900 seats for the taking every day in the Dhaka sector. Average daily demand is barely about 700, sources said.

An official of a private airline said airlines were finding it difficult to fill seats except during the holiday season.

"In the Dhaka sector, four to five flights daily are enough to meet the demand because there are also other modes of transport like train and bus. Trade traffic, which used to fill aircraft, has declined over the past few months," said Anil Punjabi, chairman (east) of the Travel Agents' Federation of India.

Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Biman Bangladesh are the big fish in this sector.

While the growth of international air traffic from the city has been stunted, footfall in the domestic sector increased by almost 26 per cent in 2016-17 over the previous year - up from 12.8 million to 15.8 million. The international section handled 2.3 million passengers in 2016-17 against 2.15 million the previous year.

Calcutta's international air traffic is seasonal and focused on Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, UAE, Qatar and Bangladesh. Tourists and students make up the majority of international travellers.

"There is a large chunk of onward passengers from Singapore to the Far East and the US. But these passengers book mostly with Singapore Airlines, which has onward connectivity," said a tour operator.

Flying rights to London from Calcutta have been unused since British Airways withdrew and Air India discontinued its direct flight.

Aviation experts said Calcutta's growth in terms of business had been stagnant for want of corporate travel, the lifeblood of an airline.

Corporate travel ensures year-long traffic, but industry-starved Bengal has little of it. No European carrier operates out of the city because of the same reason.

The Gulf carriers are doing well only because they are feeding international passengers to their respective hubs, sources said.

 

[Imran Khan]

You flatter yourself too much. There are plenty of airlines to choose from for Bangladeshi citizens. PIA would be the last airline on their mind. I doubt it would be much of a problem. It's better to promote Star Alliance Airlines and domestic airlines to build ourselves. Not many BDeshis would go to Pakistan nowadays. Very rare sight to see. Most either go to the Middle East, US, UK or India for business purposes from what I know. And Israeli Airlines? Brother, are you not Muslim? Good for PIA to save money since as I said no one goes to Pakistan from any part of the world let alone BDeshis!

this much bangladeshis fly on PIA that we send jumbo jet b747 to and b777 to dahaka. they make transit at karachi and then fly to EU USA canada etc when you guys were banned to fly over them .

 

[Bengal71]

So if a Bangladeshi wanted to go to Pakistan, which airline he must take?

 

[Imran Khan]

If it's commercially unstable for them, then sadly it is the reason why they stopped. Bangladesh first needs to improve tourism industry to attract these airlines again. Our priority is to host Star Alliance Airlines like Emirates, Etihad (suspended I heard for a few months) and others. But PIA shouldn't be a huge problem. We should focus domestically and improve our own airlines instead of committing to other airlines all the time.

So if a Bangladeshi wanted to go to Pakistan, which airline he must take?

qatar fly dubai and emrates will be cheap option
srilanken and thai will be option too but no direct flight all have to stop over

 

[Bengal71]

qatar fly dubai and emrates will be cheap option
srilanken and thai will be option too but no direct flight all have to stop over

Yes I thought so, but they would be very long flights though. I wanted to visit Pakistan some day as a tourist.

 

[war&peace]

So if a Bangladeshi wanted to go to Pakistan, which airline he must take?

Air Arabia, Saudi Airlines, Sri Lankan Air, Salam Air etc are servicing Decca
While I guess Emirates has already stopped it services. I didn't find Qatar Airways either

I think in future PIA may resume flights after it recovers from the losses.

 

[Imran Khan]

Good news as it is a wake up call for us to improve our own domestic airlines which need injection. But I emphasise it's rarer than a white man's Beef Steak to see BDeshis travel to Pakistan.

bangladesh is a huge market of future . but gulf i dumping the damn passengers . FYI
beman 12 planes - 9 owned 3 leased
nova 6 planes
regent 8 planes
us bangla 7 planes

total bangladeshi planes are 33 planes for 180 million people and whole country have total 4 wide body b777 Bangladesh owns . these are only 4 birds can fly direct all over world rest are narrow body or regional turboprops .it has long way to go .

Yes I thought so, but they would be very long flights though. I wanted to visit Pakistan some day as a tourist.

flydubai or emirates will be cheap and shortest way to fly 10 to -16 hours flight time sir .even now both side diplomatic mail and diplomats will fly throw third country .

 

[war&peace]

No, Emirates and Qatar Airways has stayed so only Etihad. They're heavily outcompeted by other airlines such as Qatar Airways and Emirates in BD so I see no need for Etihad.

Okay great

Yes I thought so, but they would be very long flights though. I wanted to visit Pakistan some day as a tourist.

Well, you can plan a multi destination trip like first go to Sri Lanka or Dubai and then to any city in Pakistan. May be in future, direct flights are resumed but the prospects are low as there is not much traffic between the two countries.

 

[Imran Khan]

No, Emirates and Qatar Airways has stayed so only Etihad. They're heavily outcompeted by other airlines such as Qatar Airways and Emirates in BD so I see no need for Etihad.




Well BDeshis will use many others airlines. 180 Million people are travelling all over the world. Plenty of options for them to chose like British Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and other Star Alliance Airlines. Plus we should build our own domestic airlines.

british airways did not fly to bangladesh since last 10 years . they suspended bangladesh in 2009 . in fact no first world EU USA CANADA AUSTRALIAN airline fly to bangladesh sir .
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...flights-to-Bangladesh/articleshow/4326447.cms

star alliance is not an airline but its alliance of many airlines to code shear . BD people can select qatar - emrates - and turkish . these only are three better products too . i personally love emirates .

last year three airline all together terminated flights to bangladesh
Air travel options decrease with suspension of operations by three airlines in BD

- By Raquib Siddiqi 01 Dec, 2017 | - +

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Dhaka : Three foreign airlines, have in recent months, suspended operations to and from Bangladesh, decreasing options for the passengers and making the aviation market of the country poorer.

The airlines that have suspended operations until further orders are : (1) Thai Smile, (2) Oman Air and (3) Bangkok Airways.

Of the three airlines, Thai Smile suspended operations to and from Chittagong. The airline started Chittagong operations in March this year and suspended operation four months later in July.

Oman Air suspended operations to and from and Chittagong, from Chittagong in May and from in October this year. Oman Air started operations to Bangladesh a decade ago.

Bangkok Airways suspended operations to and from from November 7. The Thai boutique airline began operation to in 2011.

Benefits of aviation

Aviation is at the heart of global economic development and is widely recognised as a key contributor to economic and social development. Over the times some governments have come to understand the importance of air connectivity built on global standards and to include it as a priority in their economic strategies. This is happening in some parts of the Asia-Pacific region, Bangladesh not included.

In South Asia, departure capacity has been growing at an average annual rate of 17.7 per cent since the start of the decade with the fastest rates of growth being recorded by the Maldives (16.5 per cent), Sri Lanka (12.4 per cent) and Bangladesh 11.1 per cent in 2016.

The growth in Bangladesh is continuing. In 2015, the number of air passenger in Bangladesh was 55,568,934 and volume of air cargo was 2,58,010 tons. The number of passengers and volume of cargo increased to 59,36,852 and 2,81,993 tons in 2016. There is no sign of change in growth trend. Figures up to June this year (2017) shows that the growth is likely to surpass growth of previous years. Up to June, the number of air passengers was 32,10,761 and volume of cargo was 1,52,825 tons.

Air transport to, from and within Bangla-desh creates three distinct types of economic benefit. Typically, studies such as this focus on the "economic footprint” of the industry, measured by its contribution to GDP, jobs and tax revenues generated by the sector and its supply chain. But the economic value created by the industry is more than that.

The principal benefits are created for the customer, the passenger or shipper, using the air transport service. In addition, the connections created between cities and markets represent an important infrastructure asset that generates benefits through enabling foreign direct investment, business clusters, specialisation and other spillover impacts on an economy's productive capacity.

Importance of air connectivity

In the past decades, global aviation has changed. The aviation industry is playing a crucial role in helping to facilitate tourism_ just over half of all tourists travel by air.n total, aviation-related tourism supports 35 million jobs worldwide, contributing more than US$800 billion to global GDP. Regionally, the impact of tourism can be even more profound with new air services increasing the propensity to travel and this is clear to see across the Asia-Pacific region.

It is a widely held belief that the axis of the global aviation industry is moving east as the Asia-Pacific region surpassing both North America and Europe in terms of passenger numbers by the end of the next decade.

Forecasts from the industry body International Air Transport Association (IATA) suggest that by 2034, 7.3 billion airline passengers will be travelling globally, more than double the 3.5 billion passengers that travelled by air in 2015, with a significant number of these additional passengers flying to, from and within this region.

Establishing new routes can open up new markets for both passengers and goods movement and not only build traffic but also generate additional non-aeronautical revenues on the ground. The Routes business, a division of UBM EMEA, has become an important facilitator for networking between airlines, airports and to an increasing degree, tourist authorities.

Changing industry landscape

In the changing industry landscape airlines are now looking beyond airports for support and are regularly seeking to engage with tourism authorities when considering a new service. The course will show tourism authorities, economic development agencies, government departments and industry associations how to take the initiative with airlines and help them to understand different airline models and types of traffic, the economic benefits of new services and how to build a compelling business case for new air routes.

The industry's growth holds big economic promise for the Asia-Pacific with an additional 2.5 billion more passengers estimated to be flying annually to, from, and within the region by the mid-2030s with one in every five global air travellers traveling to, from, or within China by 2034.

The industry already supports over 24 million jobs across the Asia-Pacific region, with a total economic impact exceeding US$500 billion and every new traveller brings an opportunity for further economic gain.

Lack of marketing

Airports and tourist boards have, of course, become extremely sophisticated in their marketing over the past decades but the need to connect them with airlines is still, as true today, as it was when the first ever World Routes took place in Cannes in September 1995.

However, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), the regulatory body of civil aviation in the country, is yet to take step towards marketing the country in regard attractions more airlines to start their operations to Bangladesh.

BD not at fault

The suspension of operation by three foreign airlines from Bangladesh aviation market, can be considered as a set back, because global air connectivity drives tourism and economic growth and so, operation of more and more airlines are sought by all the countries of the world.

"Commercial" is the common reason given for suspension of operation, by all the three airlines. But there are other factors that contributed to the suspension of operation.

Thai Smile Airways, a Thai Airways International (THAI) subsidiary, launched a new route, connecting Thailand and Bangladesh. The airline started serving Bangkok-Chittagong route_ three times per week_ using Airbus A320s.

The carrier will codeshare with Thai under flight numbers TG 2355 and TG 2356. Flight TG 2355 used to depart from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok at 21:20 PM and arrived at the Hazrat Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong at 22:45 pm, while the returning flight TG 2356 used to leave Chittagong the same day at 23:45 pm and arrive in Bangkok around five minutes after three in the morning, local time.

According to GSA of the airline, the timing was an unfavourable factor. Shortage of aircraft was another factor for suspension, Albeit "commercial" reason was cited for suspension of operation, Oman Air is now in the process of re-structuring its global operation, to reduce revenue loss. The airline enjoyed good load, despite significant capacity hike on the route, because of start of operation by private airlines of Bangladesh. Increased competition resulted in lower yield.

Bangkok Airways enjoyed good load and served mostly the corporate travellers from Bangladesh. However, with the operation of private airlines of Bangladesh on Dhaka-Bangkok route, the capacity suddenly became almost double. But issuance of visa was not increased as per capacity increase. This, along with reduction of yield might have acted behind taking decision to suspend operation.

From the existing situation, it can be safely said that Bangladesh is no way at fault for the suspension of operation of these three airlines. There is continuous healthy growth of market, load factors of two of the concerned airlines from Bangladesh market were good and there was no conflict with regulatory authority.

No adverse impact

However, absence of these airlines are not likely to have negative impact on the aviation market of the country, as despite no marketing, Bangladesh market has attracted fairly good number of airlines_ albeit all from Asia, because of increasing demand for airline seats and cargo capacity.

The country is now being served by : Air India, Air Arabia, Air Asia, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Druk Air, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai, Gulf Air, Jet Airways, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Maldivian Air, Pakistan International Airlines. Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Spice Jet, Srilankan Air, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and Scoot Air.

Seven of these airlines-Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airways, Cathy Pacific, Etihad Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Malaysian Airlines are also operating cargo flights.

In addition to the foreign airlines, four domestic airlines_ Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Regent Airways, NOVOAIR and US-Bangla Airlines are also serving Bangladesh market.

Moreover, there is good news that the three airlines have just suspended their flights until further order_ did not withdraw the operation. So, it seems absence of these three airlines in Bangladesh aviation market is temporary. With reason for suspension gone, they are likely to resume flights.

 

[Bengal71]

Okay great


Well, you can plan a multi destination trip like first go to Sri Lanka or Dubai and then to any city in Pakistan. May be in future, direct flights are resumed but the prospects are low as there is not much traffic between the two countries.

I think it will be best flying directly from Aus instead of BD. Tell me this, how will regular Pakistanis in streets, shopping centers, restaurants and tourist spots would behave with a Bangladeshi, possibly with family? Is there any possibility of harassment and racist and arrogant nonsense?

 

[war&peace]

I think it will be best flying directly from Aus instead of BD. Tell me this, how will regular Pakistanis in streets, shopping centers, restaurants and tourist spots would behave with a Bangladeshi, possibly with family? Is there any possibility of harassment and racist and arrogant nonsense?

You will be treated with respect and love generally. People in Pakistan do not harbour any resentment against Bd people but unfortunately it is not true vice-versa since you people are taught hateful stuff about Pakistan while in Pakistani schools, the blame is put on the foreign intervention i.e. India and its stooges like Mujibur Rehman but not on the Bd people. You will even find people who criticise our own establishment and politicians for mishandling the situation..we have a lot more freedom in Pakistan than most other countries in the world. Furthermore, most young people are not even that much aware. So do not worry about that. To be on safe side, do not engage in any political discussion that just blames Pakistan. You will be welcomed and if you find right people, you may get invited for family get together lunch, dinner.
There are around 2.0 millions Bengalis in Karachi so you can imagine.

 

[Imran Khan]

I think it will be best flying directly from Aus instead of BD. Tell me this, how will regular Pakistanis in streets, shopping centers, restaurants and tourist spots would behave with a Bangladeshi, possibly with family? Is there any possibility of harassment and racist and arrogant nonsense?

we have almost 2 million Bangladeshis here what make you think sir we misbehave with Bangladeshis ? last year some 50000 Indians our ARCH ENEMY country visited Pakistan . and no one was complaint about us . FYI even today is thousands of Sikhs from all over world in Pakistan as they have festival in Pakistan .common people have same problems like all over s.asia bills fees school expenses food expenses rents they are not sitting in markets for promoting hate . only party here has issue in BD is AL . we dont have any political party based on hate . our PM imran khan openly said he is willing to give nationality to Bangladeshis and afghan immigrants .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengalis_in_Pakistan

bengalis in paksitan protesting for rights and nationality

Pia needs to save its *** so this is actually a good move

they are too worry these days imran khan may take bold step and sale the PIA . as its loss making airline . last week they got bailout of 17bn . they are closing loss making routes or political routes and working on making more profits . GOP also considering to sale PIA owned hotels in new York and Paris

pia own Roosevelt hotel in new york and scribe hotel in paris

 

[Bengal71]

You will be treated with respect and love generally. People in Pakistan do not harbour any resentment against Bd people but unfortunately it is not true vice-versa since you people are taught hateful stuff about Pakistan while in Pakistani schools, the blame is put on the foreign intervention i.e. India and its stooges like Mujibur Rehman but not on the Bd people. You will even find people who criticise our own establishment and politicians for mishandling the situation..we have a lot more freedom in Pakistan than most other countries in the world. Furthermore, most young people are not even that much aware. So do not worry about that. To be on safe side, do not engage in any political discussion that just blames Pakistan. You will be welcomed and if you find right people, you may get invited for family get together lunch, dinner.
There are around 2.0 millions Bengalis in Karachi so you can imagine.

I didn't want to go into political discussion, but just to clarify Mujib was nobody's stooge and Bengalis were at no fault in '71. Anyway, thanks for the info. I will see if I can plan a visit.

 

[Imran Khan]

I didn't want to go into political discussion, but just to clarify Mujib was nobody's stooge and Bengalis were at no fault in '71. Anyway, thanks for the info. I will see if I can plan a visit.

we forget it long time ago . its been 50 years now . this issue is alive in BD not here .

 

[Mage]

This is very bad and very sad

What will happen to our Biharis? What will happen to our people who want to migrate to Pakistan for a better life? Our Airports will suffer so much....I feel like crying. How will our business operate if there are no flights between Noakhali and Karachi? Bangladesh will go bankrupt.

No this cannot be happening. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!