Bangladesh has signed an air transport agreement with the United Sates on the operation of flights between two countries. 

Under this bilateral agreement, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and private airline companies will be able to operate direct flights between Dhaka and New York.

Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mohibul Haque and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller signed the agreement at the conference room of the civil aviation ministry in secretariat on Wednesday.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali and Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, among others, were also present at the signing program. 

After signing the agreement, Secretary M Mohibul Haque said all the airlines of Bangladesh and the US will be able to operate direct passenger and cargo flights between both the countries.

State Minister Md Mahbub Ali said, in 2013, the government initiated an air transport agreement with the US, but it never got past the draft stage. Now, Bangladesh is obtaining the benefits of the sincere efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He further added that the US Federal Aviation Authority would inspect and audit Bangladesh's airports, especially Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, following the signing of the agreement. 

During this period, Bangladesh will work for the development of necessary infrastructure and manpower reform, including airport security activities, he said.

US Ambassador Earl R Miller said this agreement would take the bilateral relations between the countries forward, playing pivotal role in boosting trade and tourism opportunities between Bangladesh and the US.

BDST: 1726 HRS, SEP 30, 2020
AP/SMS