Air Astra (2A, Dhaka) has secured its air operator's certificate, opening the way for the airline to start revenue operations by the end of November. Air Astra received its certificate at a handover ceremony in Dhaka on November 3. The airline will become Bangladesh's first new scheduled passenger carrier in nine years.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) issued the airline permit #27 and said it was a major step forward in allowing it to launch its planned flights within Bangladesh. In a statement, Air Astra said that they aim to bring a new standard of service to the growing market of local air travellers and contribute to Bangladesh's economic growth.
Air Astra has acquired two ATR72-600s - S2-STB (msn 1352) and S2-STC (msn 1371), with a further two scheduled to arrive in early 2023. The airline intends to initially operate domestic flights, starting on the Dhaka - Cox's Bazar and Dhaka - Saidpur routes. Air Astra CEO Imran Asif told media last week that flights will arrive and depart from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, but construction work at that airport may require the ATR72-600s to temporarily overnight at Sylhet.
In addition to Air Astra, the ch-aviation PRO airlines module reveals there are three other active scheduled passenger carriers based in Bangladesh - US-Bangla Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and NovoAir. Until now, US-Bangla Airlines was the newest market entrant, having started operations in 2013. Another prospective airline, Fly Dhaka, remains in the start-up phase.
