 | Youngone to launch charter flights
30 March, 2011
Korea-based Youngone Group will roll out commercial charter air services in Bangladesh the next month for the business executives, said an official of the group.
Currently, the group has four aircraft -- seven- and nine-seater -- to support its officials' frequent visits inside and outside the country for business purposes, said Sikder Mesbahuddin Ahmed, director (operation support) of Youngone Group Bangladesh.
A charter airline operates aircraft on a charter basis and outside normal schedules, by a hiring arrangement with a particular customer.
The schedule, departure times, size of jet, numbers of passengers or required facilities, are all defined by the client. The aircraft is for the client's private use only.
Youngone will run the aircraft commercially as the group noticed a market being created in Bangladesh, in the backdrop of rising demands for private air services from different local and multinational companies operating in Bangladesh.
Ahmed said many multinational companies are operating in Bangladesh and many are expanding their operations. As a result, air travels by executives of such companies have increased over the last few years, he added.
"Corporate executives from local and multinational companies from garment, energy and banking sectors maintain a hectic schedule. They can't wait in queues to purchase air tickets," Ahmed said.
"If the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) gives approval, we will start the formal service from the last week of next month," he added.
The average fare will be at $2,500 per hour, he said, adding that the group has also a plan to launch cargo flights in near future.
Primarily, the charter will fly inside the country and to some neighbouring countries. Later the routes will be increased gradually, he added.
Last December, the group opened flying schools both in Dhaka and Chittagong.
A senior official of the CAAB said the approval to Youngone is under process.
"A charter air service needs to fulfil a number of requirements. We are examining the matter," said the CAAB official, requesting not to be named.
“Youngone will be the first company in the country to launch the charter air service. National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is not offering such a service as it is busy with its scheduled flights,” he said.
He said a few local companies use helicopters to serve their own purposes or sometimes rent to others.
Release link:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=179672
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