Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ decision to suspend its direct Dhaka-Narita-Dhaka flights, effective this past Tuesday, has ignited a wave of criticism from aviation experts and Bangladeshi expatriates in Japan. The move, which leaves Bangladesh without a crucial direct air link to Japan, is being widely described as “illogical” and “short-sighted,” prompting urgent calls for the government and Biman to explore viable solutions for its restoration. This suspension has raised concerns about Biman’s strategic interests and Bangladesh’s aviation image on the global stage. The national flag carrier had enthusiastically resumed direct flights to Narita in September 2023, after a significant 17-year hiatus, utilizing its modern Dreamliner 787 aircraft. While the route was initially celebrated for significantly reducing travel time for passengers, reports indicate that passenger numbers began to decline from August of last year. Due to the financial losses that kept increasing, Biman’s board made a decision in May to suspend the route starting July 1. The airline revealed that each Narita flight was incurring losses of nearly Tk95 lakh, contributing to an overall loss of Tk215.58 crore between September 2023 and March 2024. Shafiqur Rahman, the CEO and Managing Director of Biman, supported the decision by highlighting the heavy financial strain that could not be maintained and mentioned issues related to operations, such as a lack of aircraft and crew. Despite these challenges, aviation stakeholders, including former Biman board members and expatriate communities, stress the strategic importance of maintaining long-haul routes. They argue that a direct air link to Japan is vital not only for reducing travel time and expenses for passengers but also for strengthening bilateral ties, especially given Japan’s recent commitment to job creation for Bangladeshis. The history of the Dhaka-Narita route reveals a pattern of suspensions due to commercial viability issues, with previous halts in 1981 and 2006. The aim of the 2023 revival was to take advantage of the good relationships between Bangladesh and Japan while also drawing in transit travelers from nearby nations. However, the latest suspension highlights the persistent challenges in sustaining profitable long-haul operations amidst competitive global aviation markets. Passengers are now forced to endure longer and more expensive journeys involving third-country transits. Amidst the widespread disappointment, there is a strong collective hope that Biman and the government will prioritize exploring innovative strategies to reinstate this strategically important route. This could involve targeted marketing, route optimization, or even seeking partnerships to ensure its commercial viability. Restoring the direct air link to Narita is seen as crucial for upholding Bangladeshโs image as a growing aviation hub and facilitating smoother travel and trade between the two nations, ensuring long-term benefits for the economy and its citizens.
